Donors | American Floral Endowment

Two New Named Funds

Two new named funds were announced at AFE’s 43rd Annual Fundraising and Recognition Dinner on September 19.The first new named fund is The Retail Florist’s Continued Education Fund. This fund was established by Bob and Carol Sharpe from Frederick, Maryland. Bob and Carol are third-generation florists who closed their shop, Sharpe’s Flowers, five years ago when they retired. Sharpe’s Flowers was considered a Frederick landmark since 1930 and was in business for 84 years.Like many retailers, Bob and Carol struggled with finding the time to get out of the shop to attend industry events or continue their education. In an industry where businesses are handed down from generation to generation, continued education is vital for success. Bob and Carol want to help floral…

Sep 23, 2019

AFE Board of Trustees Meeting: Education, Research, Service

By Ashley AlexanderPurdue University’s motto is “Education, Research, Service.” During AFE’s August Board Meetings last month, the Trustees witnessed the school taking pride in living up to this motto. While in West Lafayette, IN., the Board had a chance to experience all three of these crucial facets to the university.The trustees started their day with a bit of education themselves: a Board Orientation. They had the privilege of having Bob Harris, a man who has his fair share in the association and nonprofit world. He informed both new and returning board members about their roles and responsibilities of being on the AFE Board of Trustees.Afterward, the group visited Purdue’s campus. They started with Armstrong Hall, where they were able to…

Sep 11, 2019

AFE Fundraising Dinner 2019

AFE’s largest fundraising event of the year – the 2019 Annual Fundraising Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Amelia Island, FL, in conjunction with the Society of American Florists’ Annual Convention. Come together with hundreds of other industry members to celebrate floriculture successes, honor industry champions, and raise money to support future research, programs, and grants. The important work of the Endowment can only be done with industry contributions, and with annual support, AFE can increase funding for research, programs recruiting top talent to our industry, and educational opportunities for industry members. If you are attending the SAF Annual Convention this year, you can purchase a dinner ticket on the SAF Registration…

Jul 29, 2019

Shelby Shy Memorial Tribute Established

She served as AFA’s president and on their board. Shelby is a former president of the Arkansas Florists Association. She was also actively involved in the Society for American Florists, as a volunteer group leader who helped with regional educational sessions and served on their Consumer Marketing Committee. She holds the SAF honor of being a member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF.) “Shelby brought such a beautiful energy and positivity – and innovation – to her contributions to SAF. She was so generous with her ideas as a member of our committees and councils,” said SAF CEO Kate Penn. “Anything we asked her to do – whether take part in an article, or develop and lead a program…

May 31, 2019

Pete and Brenda Garcia: Getting Ahead by Doing the Right Thing

Pete and Brenda Garcia

May 8, 2019

Celebration of Life Honors Industry Icon August ‘Gus’ De Hertogh

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day to celebrate and honor a man who gave so much to the floral industry. Family and friends from near and abroad joined together to remember August “Gus” De Hertogh at the J C Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC, on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Gus passed away on October 26, 2018. In all, nearly 200 attended the event on a perfect spring afternoon. It was only fitting that event featured beautiful tulips and other florals, generously provided by industry members that Gus worked so closely with for decades. The program, emceed by Dr. Elliot Engel, a longtime friend of Gus and Mary Belle, provided great stories about the impact Gus made on the…

Apr 3, 2019

AFE Board Members Go to College (Station)

AFE held this year’s February Board of Trustees Meeting in College Station, Texas. The group visited Texas A&M, where AFE has awarded over $800,000 in research and educational grants. Currently, AFE is supporting research at the university on consumer preference and funding a new study at the Human Behavioral Lab. The Human Behavior Lab is the largest biometrics lab in the world. The Trustees experienced part of the new study from the Floral Marketing Research Fund, co-sponsored by the American Floral Endowment and the Produce Marketing Association, “Using Biometric Technology to Better Understand Floral Consumers.” Drs. Marco Palma and Charlie Hall showed the group how the lab can successfully track eye movements to collect data on where the consumers’ eyes…

Mar 15, 2019

Gus De Hertogh Celebration of Life

The follow celebration event can be watched on YouTube here. A celebration of life will be held in honor of August (Gus) De Hertogh on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 3 – 6:30 pm. It will be held at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina. To RSVP: email Debbie Hamrick at debbie.hamrick@ncfb.org A memorial tribute has been established with AFE. It is our hope to raise $50,000 to establish an annual named Scholarship Fund to honor Gus. Click here to donate. The family will be notified of all contributions. August (Gus) De Hertogh, Ph. D. passed away on October 26, 2018, at the age of 83. Dr. De Hertogh was an internationally renowned researcher and expert in the industry,…

Feb 6, 2019

Thank you 2018 donors!

Thanks to all of our donors from the past year for your generous contributions.Your support is greatly appreciated and allows us to continue providing programs and other important benefits to the industry.AFE is the floral industry’s endowment — a place where all industry members can invest to help solve critical challenges.Tackling industry challenges is something that can’t be done overnight, or by one individual or company; it takes a collaborative effort and the support of many.You play an important role in helping us advance the industry through our research, scholarships and educational programs. And we want to thank you!2018 Donors Accent Decor Acolyte Technologies CorporationAlaska Peony Growers AssociationAlaska Peony Marketing GroupAlaska Perfect PeonyAlbin Hagstrom & Sons, Inc.Ashley AlexanderAlexandra FarmsAll My ThymeAllan’s Flowers…

Feb 6, 2019

Another Year-End Matching Gift Challenge = Success!

Smithers-Oasis/FLORALIFE® teamed up with AFE for a second year-end matching gift challenge.Thanks to their generosity, year-end donations made to the Endowment by December 31, 2018, were matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000.Industry members jumped at the chance to support floriculture and as a result, the goal was exceeded in only 14 days!Thanks to the support from the industry and Smithers-Oasis/FLORALIFE®.Thank you again to Smithers-Oasis/FLORALIFE® for your generous contribution and for supporting AFE’s programs that promote and advance the industry!For those who didn’t get a chance to donate, you can still support AFE’s industry efforts by making a tax-deductible contribution today.

Jan 7, 2019