Smile Farms At Skills Unlimited

July 28, 2017

A couple weeks ago, I went to volunteer in Oakdale at Smile Farms at Skills Unlimited as a part of the 1-800-Flowers.com’s Summer of a Million Smiles program. After a day of volunteering with the employees there and getting the garden beds assembled and filled, I was able to go back today for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Getting to spend the morning with the farmers that I had previously worked with and gotten to know was awesome and it was even better seeing how excited they were for this event that openly showcased all of their hard work to get the farm ready in time.
So many people came to join in the celebration of opening this new location that was only started a month ago! In addition to the Smile Farms Team, Skills Unlimited employees and board members, we were joined by Jim McCann, the Executive Chairman of 1-800-Flowers.com and Board Chairman of Smile Farms, and New York Senator Phil Boyle. Seeing all of these people come together for such a great cause was extremely exciting and heartwarming. Everyone gathered in front of the newly planted gardens to cut the ribbon symbolizing the beginning of the partnership between Skills Unlimited and Smile Farms. The event was also recorded and will be featured on News 12.
Being surrounded by so many people with so much happiness and positive energy for the start of this farm created a very welcoming and positive atmosphere. It was so easy to see how proud everyone was, especially the employees at Skills Unlimited, making it easy to catch their excitement. I’m excited, as I’m sure is everyone else, to see how this farm will grow and what else will come out of this new and exciting partnership!

Brianna Gallant
1-800-Flowers.com Intern