going through somewhat of a trial and
in the support nonprofits are providing to
summer is our slowest time — we lose
error . But what we ended up with was the
survivors and families; LGBTQ, Latino,
money all summer.
OneOrlando Fund, which is a compensa-
faith and other affected communities;
By Monday afternoon I had an idea
tion fund for the survivors and their fami-
underlying causes of this tragic event (not
that I felt God gave me. We have a group of
lies, and the Better Together Fund, which
policy and advocacy); and other needs we
florists across the country that we meet
is meant to support the gaps that would
cannot anticipate until we face them.
together with twice a year — it’s 12 shops.
occur for the nonprofits providing assis-
As part of first phase support, a grant of
We share ideas, strategies and informa-
tance to the survivors and their families,
up to $122,000 was issued to Heart of Flor-
tion openly because we are in different
and also go on to help with the healing of
ida United Way to support those directly
markets. I thought maybe we could get 49
the broader LGBTQ and Latino commu-
impacted by the Pulse tragedy with basic
florists from 49 states to donate one piece.
nity, and ultimately deal with things we
needs, like rent, mortgage, utilities or other
I reached out to the 12 florists in our
might not yet be able to see or understand.
monthly expenses. The second phase will
group via email and within 20 minutes
For example, the mental health counsel-
support
the
had 12 yeses. Next I reached out to other
ing for those affected could go on for years.
LGBTQ and Latino communities and the
groups similar to ours. I did not know any-
There have to be resources in place to see
other key areas. cffound.org/give/about_
one in them but explained what we were
this through. This will be a long-term
better_together/
doing. In all we got 34 florists across the
rebuilding
and
healing
healing process.
country that donated — some donated
So in those first few days what kind of
more than one piece. But we didn’t want to
amazed me was that the crisis piece of
leave it at that, so we had one person here
this, that literally in some other places like
— every day for seven days — searching
Colorado and Boston went on for weeks,
Google to find the funeral homes, search-
really only lasted here for a couple of
ing GoFundMe accounts and looking for
weeks. And then we moved into more of a
any details on the services.
stability phase where the community
But it went way beyond what we
came together around a strategic thought
expected. We ended up tracking down all
process about what to do next and how do
49 families and were able to deliver for 41
we make sure this doesn’t happen again if
of the services and sent 79 orders out.
we can. And if it does happen again how
Some families wanted multiple pieces and
can we be better prepared and then more
we just said yes. Most of the time we just
importantly how long is it actually going to
spoke to someone representing the family
take us to get through the process.
or the funeral home over the phone. If we
That’s where proactive philanthropy
got to speak to someone from the family
played its biggest role. It came together
we could create something very specific.
quickly, and not just from this community.
In one case we were asked to donate bou-
Investments in the work we are doing
tonnieres and wrist corsages for the entire
around the community have come from
family and we said yes.
companies [Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines] and foundations from around the country and around the world. Being involved in proactive philanthropy to solve community
Sally Kobylinski, Owner, In Bloom Florist
The only family that came in was the one from the mother of 11 who died protecting her son. They actually walked into
As soon as I heard I felt so heavy hearted
the cooler and picked out calla lilies, one
for the moms who lost their sons and
for each child. They also requested we
daughters — and family members. No one
spell out “mom” in flowers. It ended up
wants to bury their child. I immediately
being a big order. At a minimum we made
The Better Together Fund provides a way
came in on Monday and asked my hus-
sure everyone had a casket spray. If there
to help respond to the needs of our com-
band [and business partner] if we could do
was already a casket spray they sent two
munity, now and in the time to come, after
something — can we give all the funeral
standing arrangements to flank the casket.
the effects of the Pulse nightclub tragedy.
flowers. And he did not think that was
We didn’t want our name on the card,
The fund will support four key areas: gaps
possible. From a business perspective
so each arrangement was accompanied by
problems is where we want to be.
About the Better Together Fund
128
orangeappeal.com