Nielsen’s Florist Partnered with Darien High School Wave Strong Students to ‘Petal It Forward’ — Spreading Joy and Mental Health Awareness Through Flowers
This year we teamed up with students from Darien High School involved with Wave Strong to bring the Society of American Florists’ “Petal It Forward” initiative to our community. On Wednesday, October 15, volunteers handed out two bouquets to people in and around Darien Commons, one to keep, and one to give to someone else—creating a chain of kindness across town.
“Petal It Forward is about passing forward the positivity of flowers,” said Raya Ward, General Manager at Nielsen’s Florist. “Flowers can be the simple thing that brightens someone’s day, making them smile and feel joy.”
Wave Strong—a Darien-based nonprofit started to uplift the community and break down stigmas around mental health—will partner with Nielsen’s Florist to help distribute flowers.
Why It Matters
Independent research has shown that flowers can boost positive emotions and reduce stress—both when receiving and when giving. The Petal It Forward model encourages recipients to share the joy by immediately gifting their second bouquet, multiplying the positive impact across our community.
About Wave Strong
Wave Strong is a Darien-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking down the stigmas of mental health for the betterment of the community through messaging and programming, grants to bridge gaps in access to care, and scholarships that support future mental health professionals. Learn more at wavestrong.org.
About Petal It Forward
Petal It Forward is a goodwill initiative created by the Society of American Florists in which volunteers give out two bouquets—one to keep and one to share—to demonstrate the positive benefits of giving and receiving flowers and to encourage simple acts of kindness.
About Nielsen’s Florist
Nielsen’s Florist is a local, family-run florist, garden center, and home décor/gift shop serving the Darien community since 1944. We specialize in fresh floral design, seasonal plants, and thoughtful gifts, with a mission to help customers celebrate life’s moments—big and small.






























