- April 19, 2025
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Anastasia V., 8, Penelope O. 9, and Mya R., 8 pot the plants.
Photo by Ian SwabyClaudia R., 9 and Anastasia V., 8 set their flower pots beside the other finished pots.
Photo by Ian SwabyGabriella M., 9, waters her plant.
Photo by Ian SwabyHarmonee E., 11, Ja'Miyah J., 11 and Mariyah B., 11 pot the plants.
Photo by Ian SwabyWilliannys Q, 12, gathers the flowers for planting.
Photo by Ian SwabyRejii'Nae Peterson, 12, scoops the dirt, beside Terri Kelley of Sun-Fire Nurseries
Photo by Ian SwabyWilliannys M., 12, adds soil to the flower pot.
Photo by Ian SwabyLayla H., 8, and discusses the plants with Delilah Onofrey of Suntory Flowers
Photo by Ian SwabyAubree D., 9
Photo by Ian SwabyThe flower pots combined red, white and purple (blue) colors.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe completed flower pots are placed beside one another.
Photo by Ian SwabyBrianni W., 12, Williannys M., 12 and Juliet Q. sign their flower pots.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe girls at Girls Inc. already have gardens where they can grow their own vegetables, so a flower-planting activity on June 26 at the Girls Inc. facility in Sarasota in collaboration with Suntory Flowers and Sun-Fire Nurseries fit right in with their experience.
“We are thrilled; the girls love to garden, love to plant,” said Angie Stringer, president and CEO of Girls Inc.
She said the plants were also a "perfect" tie-in with the organization's Grow the Girl campaign, a current initiative supporting girls and women ages 9-24 in a variety of ways, including athletic skills, healthy habits and relationships.
It also tied in with the Fourth of July, with the flowers (almost) sporting patriotic colors, with their combination of red, white and purple.
Renee Phinney of Palm Printing and Glen Rieth of Royal-Tees Screen Printing & Embroidery, both supporters of Girls Inc., helped create the connection between the businesses and the nonprofit.
Delilah Onofrey of Suntory Flowers said that after supporting Girls Inc. through donations, the Japan-based company was glad to finally become involved on a personal level.
Each member of Girls Inc. who participated was able to take home a completed flower pot.
"Our vision is to not only increase the visibility of our industry with young people, but also if local garden centers carry the product ... they can potentially support as well and promote the cause, too," Onofrey said.
