It turns out that the COVID-19 pandemic is no match for the folks who call themselves “the Baltimore Flower Ninjas.”
These volunteers of the Baltimore Flower Project have found a way to bring hope and a generous spirit to those who need it most – residents and families of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryland.
The Baltimore Flower Project was started as an offshoot volunteer effort of Baltimore’s Ronald McDonald House at 1 Aisquith St. as a way to plant beautiful handmade paper flowers in front of a residence or business to celebrate a milestone event, such as a birthday, anniversary or graduation.
Each week, the ninjas – consisting of about 40 local families — paint and assemble paper flowers and plant them when someone wants to honor a recipient. The bouquets cost between $25-50 and help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House’s meal program for families and residents there. The original meal program was put on hold due to the pandemic and social distancing requirements.
“I knew people would like it, I just didn’t know that they would like it like it,” says Kim Meagher, a longtime volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and founder of the Baltimore Flower Project. “We’ve raised about $17,000 since the end of April, which is amazing when you think about paper plates making that kind of money.”
Among the businesses that have partnered with the Baltimore Flower Project is the local children’s retailer Wee Chic Boutique in Green Spring Station.
“We’ve always been community-minded as a business,” says Wee Chic owner Bridget Quinn Stickline.
Wee Chic and other retailers pay for “flower bombings” at their businesses to attract customers while helping the Ronald McDonald House’s meal plan.
“Maybe it’s not a large cash donation this year … but there’s other ways that we can help to drive their messaging,” says Quinn Stickline. “Now, I think it’s more important than ever to support these groups and to create hope.”
For information about the Baltimore Flower Project, visit facebook.com/baltimoreflowerninjas/. For information about the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maryalnd, visit rmhcmaryland.org/.
Gillian Blum is Jmore’s editorial intern.