Mother’s Day flowers lead to gift for hospital’s women, children’s ward

Halls Harbour business thanked for donating percentage of online sales

Online Mother's Day flower orders provided an opportunity for a Halls Harbour farm to give back to the greater community.

Sarah and Kenny Macalpine, owners of Two Birds

One Stone Farm, offer online flower deliveries and farm pick-ups.

They decided to donate 10 per cent of their online Mother's Day flower sales to the Valley Regional Hospital's Women and Children's ward. Sarah said they were pleased with the result, as they were able to donate $754.

She said they jumped at the opportunity to help the maternity ward. The idea was inspired by Hillary Webb, Valley Regional Hospital

development Foundation's (VRHF) fund co-ordinator.

“She (Webb) reached out to us, and she highlighted the importance of the hospital working together with local businesses,” Sarah said. “Valley Regional is a very important place in our community, and we're very much a communityminded business.”

Kenny agreed that they are all about being supportive of the community. He thought it was a great idea for a great cause.

donation Considering that the benefited the Women and Children's ward — and the long-standing tradition of giving moms flowers for Mother's

Day — Sarah said, “it felt so perfect.”

The Macalpines are now into their fifth growing season at Two Birds One Stone Farm. Kenny said one of the first things they did was to build two greenhouses and a walk-in cooler for their flower business.

Sarah said their flower season begins in early April with tulips and continues until Thanksgiving, sometimes a week or two longer.

The Macalpines can often be found at the Wolfville Farmers' Market.

Sarah said they also do weddings, host workshops

throughout the year and offer seasonal arrangements for the holidays.

A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET

With Nurses Week following Mother's Day, from May 9 to 15, Valley Regional Hospital Women and Children's program manager Michelle Harris decided to order a bouquet of flowers from Two Birds One Stone Farm for the Women

and Children's ward.

The purpose was to recognize and thank the nurses for everything they do, and to thank the business for their community-minded donation.

Harris said the bouquet, which the Macalpines delivered to the hospital on May 11, was “beautiful.” She said flowers often bring some colour, fun and joy to people during a hospital stay.

“It's so nice to be able to support a local farm and a local business that's involved in the community,” Harris said.

She said they are very appreciative of the donation of the proceeds from the Mother's Day flower sales. Harris said the money would be used to help support key functions of the Women and Children's program, such as purchasing equipment to help support

forward. moms and babies moving

PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS

Webb said the VRHF acknowledges that its focus is on community health care at the regional hospital, and small businesses are the backbone of the community's economy.

“Strategically, and to benefit our community as a whole, we really need to work together on these initiatives, and by working together we can actually be incredibly successful,” Webb said.

She said another recent

partnering example was the VRHF with Annapolis Valley small businesses New Scotland Candle Co. and Seek & Bloom Creative Cards on the “LoveGram” fundraising initiative in February. Webb said they sold more than 50 cards and 300 candles.

“These are no small feats,” Webb said. “These are the communities giving back to the businesses and the businesses giving back to the foundation, and through that spirit of giving we are all successful.”