This Miami florist is starting a movement of happiness by encouraging acts of kindness

In the past month, we’ve seen our lives change dramatically. Stress-inducing news stories, social distancing from loved ones and general anxiety about what the future holds are part of our current daily experience. But for Miami florist Meredith Clarin, these negatives led to a breakthrough.

“My husband Josh and I were going to bed one night while watching the news. We realized that everything we were hearing about was just so glum. I said to him ‘I wish we could do something positive for the community.’ It soon came to me what that would be.”

The power it seems was in the flowers she works with at her South Miami-based floral design and event company, Kitanim.

“Josh suggested that it would be fun to offer a service in which the sender would be anonymous” says Meredith. “I thought it would be great to do something whimsical with flowers.”

Spreading the love

The next day, Clarin took to Instagram to announce Kitanim’s new initiative, where clients could schedule deliveries of $25 arrangements anonymously, strictly for the purpose of brightening the receiver’s day and perhaps lifting their spirits enough to have them pay it forward to another person.

“Immediately, we had 15 to 20 orders, just the first day,” says Meredith. One of those orders came from a local synagogue that placed a group order to be delivered at a senior living facility where elderly congregants were housed. “Some of the recipients called us to say how thrilled they were because they hadn’t seen visitors in days. It was delightful.”

True to the times, deliveries are simply dropped off at the recipient’s front door by a driver who must be wearing gloves. The floral arrangements change daily and vary depending on the buds Kitanim has available. “We are fortunate to still have access to beautiful flowers, but not all,” Meredith tells us. “Generally we are working with types of roses including spray roses, as well as hydrangeas and lily grass, my favorite.”

Part of what initially drew Meredith to the floral industry was the diversity of projects, and for the New York native, this newly developed program helps keep her creativity — and positivity — flowing. “These days, people want and need a pick-me-up. It makes me happy to know we found a way to make people feel good.”

Kitanim Flowers is also offering online floral design classes. To order an arrangement or sign up for classes, visit kitanim.biz or call 786-879-7341.