ALEXANDRIA, VA – The American Floral Endowment’s (AFE) annual fundraising dinner, held September 20, 2012 at SAF’s Annual Convention in Palm Beach, was more than your average fundraising dinner!
In addition to donor recognitions, the networking and the opportunity for industry members to show their support for AFE, one special presentation made the night a “one in a million” event for the over 200 AFE supporters at the dinner.
Teleflora and AFE Chairman Tom Butler, along with Teleflora President Jeff Bennett and Executive Vice President Jack Howard presented AFE and incoming AFE Chairman Paul Bachman of Bachman's Inc., with a $1,000,000 check on behalf of Teleflora and owners Stewart and Lynda Resnick.
“For many years, Teleflora has been a proud supporter of the American Floral Endowment,” said Bennett. “We believe in the research and educational efforts of AFE, and know that this work has and will continue to advance and improve our industry. Stewart and Lynda Resnick acquired Teleflora in 1979, and since then, Teleflora has been supporting the Endowment with yearly contributions.”
The $1 million donation is the largest in AFE history and establishes the Teleflora Fund. This Fund will be unrestricted so that AFE can increase annual funding for special projects or additional research.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Butler who is completing his two-year term as AFE’s Chairman. “For more than 50 years, AFE has been working to address critical industry problems by funding research and scholarships – and on behalf of the AFE Board of Trustees we are thrilled and grateful to receive this most generous donation.”
For additional photos from the dinner, visit www.flickr.com/photos/afepics.
About AFE
The American Floral Endowment is dedicated to advancing the industry through funding floriculture research, educational grants and scholarships. More than $14 million has been funded toward research projects benefiting the entire industry, and scholarships designed to attract and retain the future leaders of the industry. Donations to AFE are tax-deductible and continue to give in perpetuity. To learn more about AFE visit www.endowment.org or www.facebook.com/americanfloralendowment.
Source: American Floral Endowment