Rachel Roberts of Leesburg, Virginia, never imagined that her backyard flowers would lead to raising nearly $200,000 for hunger relief. Twelve years ago, she began offering hand-picked bouquets from her garden in exchange for donations to Loudoun Hunger Relief. What started as a small gesture raised $50 at first, but it quickly blossomed into something far greater.
Now affectionately known as Leesburg’s “Flower Lady,” Rachel spends hours every day carefully cutting and preparing flowers for her signature bouquets. Each one is crafted with care, as though it's meant for a close friend.
The idea stemmed from an experience at her grandchildren’s school, where a young girl mentioned she hadn’t eaten breakfast or dinner. This moment sparked Rachel's determination to make a difference in her community.
Despite facing personal challenges, including hand surgery and a breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, Rachel has never stopped. Her dedication continues into her 13th year of creating bouquets, with no plans to slow down.
As Jennifer Montgomery, executive director of Loudoun Hunger Relief, said, “The simplicity of her work doesn’t reflect the enormous impact it’s had.” Rachel’s flowers have truly bloomed into a powerful force for good.
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Photo: Getty