AMHERST, N.Y. — When you've been a florist for as long as Cathy McGovern has, you develop an eye for the colors and textures that really pop in an arrangement. She's owned Trillium Courtyard Florist for 43 years.
"My teacher told me I had a talent and started me in business at the age of 16, so I've really been in business a lot longer," McGovern said.
Her designs have been a part of peoples' lives for decades — during the biggest, happiest and even toughest moments.
"I've always said that being a florist is wonderful. You are there for the beginning of life, through all the high points of life to the end," McGovern said.
In fact, it was the end-of-life care that Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo provided for her father-in-law that sparked an idea to raise money for the organization.
"My father-in-law passed away of cancer in the early 80s. We were just so touched with how Hospice took care of him in his last couple of days," McGovern said.
So McGovern decided to help start the Hospice Spring Bouquet Sale. Florists and wholesalers donated blooms, and volunteers arranged them. They raised $5,000 the first year. Last year, they sold 23,000 bouquets and raised more than $400,000.
The sale is now in its 38th year, and in total, they've raised $7 million and counting.
"I'm just amazed at the whole production, how many people buy the bouquets and want to be involved in the bouquet sale," McGovern said. "It's still a very emotional event for me. Just to think about how long ago we started this and how far it has come. It's a reminder of why I enjoy being a part of this."
The pre-sale starts soon. The public sale runs March 4 through March 9. Bouquets will be sold at participating florists and at various businesses across Western New York.