ALEXANDRIA, VA – The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is pleased to announce a $100,000 contribution from Egon and Laina Molbak to support AFE's floriculture programs.
"I am thrilled to continue supporting the American Floral Endowment with this latest contribution," said Egon.
"We give to AFE because they give back to the industry with their important research efforts, wonderful internship programs, and more!"
The generous contribution will establish a new named fund honoring Egon and Laina, and will serve as a lasting tribute of their dedication and support of the floral industry.
The longtime industry veterans, now retired, founded Molbak's Garden + Home outside of Seattle in 1956 after moving to the U.S. from Denmark.
They grew the business from five glass greenhouses with chrysanthemums and carnations to one of the Northwest's premier garden and home destinations.
Molbak's Garden + Home is now owned by the couple's son Jens and attracts more than one million visitors each year. It is known for its relaxing cafe and wide selection of plants and gifts, and is also a host employer for AFE's Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program.
Proud supporters of the Endowment, Egon and Laina are heavily involved in their community and the industry, and have received many local, national and international awards. Egon was also inducted into the Society of American Florist's Floriculture Hall of Fame in 1990.
The Egon and Laina Molbak Fund joins the 21 other AFE named funds that have been created since 2011.
Read more about Egon and Laina's journey at endowment.org/afe-named-funds.
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The American Floral Endowment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the floriculture and horticulture industry through funding research, educational grants and scholarships. Since 1961, more than $15 million has been funded in research and educational projects, and more than $1.5 million has been funded in scholarships and internships designed to attract and retain the future leaders of the industry. To learn more about AFE or make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.endowment.org.
Source: The American Floral Endowment