A pair of horticultural companies teamed up Wednesday to present employees at two northern San Diego County health care centers with gifts of fragrant flowering plants in a show of appreciation for their ongoing efforts in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Representatives of Armstrong Garden Centers and Dummen Orange handed out more than 400 orchids to staffers at Primary Care Associates Medical Group in Vista and the Villa Monticello Assisted Living Memory Care Facility for Seniors in Escondido, the botanical firms announced.
“We really wanted to show our gratitude to the medical community (for) how they have all stepped up to the challenge in caring for our sick and elderly under very trying conditions,” said Heather VonAllmen, a sales manager for Dummen Orange.
Potential health benefits of orchids include their ability to serve as natural air purifiers and to help reduce stress by providing a calming influence and improving sleep quality, according to representatives of the two companies.
“We wanted to say thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff (who) are selflessly serving our communities and provide a bright spot for patients,” said Desiree Heiman, vice president of marketing for Armstrong Garden Centers. “May these flowers brighten the day of those (who) need it the most today and in the future.”