DUNCAN – While colder temperatures and chilling winds swept across the Sooner State, several recipients were surprised by their valentine.
As a way to raise funds for Think Ability Inc., an organization providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities, Sheila DeCarlo, who oversees Think Ability’s Community Garden, and her crew designed and delivered arrangements in the days preceding St. Valentine’s Day.
Think Ability staff worker Christy Ludwick said the experience was “very therapeutic” as she put the finishing touches on a rush order arrangement of a dozen multicolored roses.
“This has been the most peaceful event we’ve ever had,” said DeCarlo as she took a break from her duties as chief bowmaker. “We thought it would be harder because we increased the amounts of flowers available, but by doing the prep work in advance, it has really gone a lot smoother than expected - even with the weather and everything.”
Prep work for the Valentine’s Day project – now with its third year in the books – began months in advance, DeCarlo mentioned. Gathering an assortment of vases, purchasing a couple hundred carnations and more than a thousand roses in a variety of colors as well as greenery and filler, was orchestrated by Think Ability’s workers.
Enjoying the hustle and bustle of the floral industry’s busiest time of the year, crewmembers Taylor Vaughn, Ernie Kelley and several others braved the cold to deliver valentine gifts to Duncan, Comanche, Marlow and other Stephens County communities. Back in the workshop music flowed through the air over the makeshift design stations that were stocked and maintained by Ellie Williams.
Next door, in the Think Ability Market, Sonja Eubanks and her crew handled basket orders while customers shopped for various items. In addition to the primarily Oklahoma-based inventory that includes dairy items from Lahoma’s Red Ridge Creamery, Amelia’s French-style yogurt from Nowata and more, the Market holds a hodgepodge of consignment pieces, crafts and artwork from local vendors.
The Valentine’s Day event was established raise funds during the winter when pro- duce is less plentiful, said DeCarlo. While the hoop houses and Community Garden beds thrive during the warmer months, bringing watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, squash, carrots, and more, the garden produces cabbage, radishes, onions and other cold weather produce during winter months.
The mission of the Community Garden is to get the community and our crew together, said DeCarlo. “It’s not often that the crew has a chance to interact and make friends. When you get to know the crew members as individuals, that’s when you start making real connections. Our community has been so supportive of us,” concluded DeCarlo. “Everyone who thought about us, ordered roses, balloons, baskets and stuffed animals –we couldn’t do what we do without their support.”