At Friendly City Florals, we believe that a simple bouquet of flowers can have a significant impact on someone's day. Working hand-in-hand with schools, healthcare, hospice, senior resident and social service communities, we donate locally grown flowers and repurposed event flowers.
We’re on a mission to share this healing energy with our community, one bouquet at a time. In every flower, we see a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring beauty that can emerge from life’s most challenging moments. One simple act of kindness can bring so much joy and comfort to others.
who we are
Did we mention that Flower donations are Tax deductible?
lbs of trash
400
AND
63
T
O
N
S
co2 emissions
are created at the average wedding
With Friendly City Florals all parts of floral arrangements will be repurposed; from flowers and floral foam, to chicken wire, vases and ribbons.
Reduce your event’s environmental impact and divert significant amounts of floral waste from landfills by collaborating with our organization!
We do not accept individual floral requests. Instead, we proudly refer to trusted local florists in the Shenandoah Valley. FCF is dedicated to giving new life to flowers that would otherwise be thrown away or go unused.
Friendly City Florals is not a professional florist and should not be considered a substitute for one.
Our friendship grew from a shared love of gardening and a belief in the healing power of flowers. After navigating motherhood, the challenges of COVID, and the loss of our fathers, we found solace in our gardens. Our paths crossed through mutual friends and when our children were in preschool together. This connection inspired us to channel our passion into something meaningful for our community - and that’s how Friendly City Florals was born.
of Friendly City Florals
Hi, we’re Laura and Rebecca
Co-Founders
At Friendly City Florals, we’re gardeners at heart, growing flowers in our own donation gardens to share with our community. Each harvest helps us bring vibrant, hand-tended blooms to those who need them most, spreading joy and beauty from our gardens to yours.
donation
the
garden
We are enrolled in one of the most well-known flower workshops this winter!
meet laura
& peony devotee
Co-Founder
Hey there! I'm Laura, back in Harrisonburg with my husband, Ben, and our four kiddos. I'm a licensed clinical social worker, dedicated stay-at-home mom and passionate micro flower farmer.
I've always loved flowers, and have been gradually transforming our landscape into cottage gardens and raised beds. Believing in growing what you love and giving abundantly, I found comfort during the pandemic gifting peony bouquets to neighbors. The joy and connection it brought to all of us was profound.
When not in the garden, I'm cheering on my kids at sports games and events, enjoying audiobooks, experimenting with my flower press, and spending quality time with family and friends.
My current garden favorites are waterlilly dahlias!
meet rebecca
& zinnia enthusiast
Co-Founder
Hi, I'm Rebecca! I'm a Shenandoah Valley Native. I currently live in Harrisonburg with my husband, Isaac, daughter Natalie and our two dogs, Pete and Ellie.
Inspired by my Granny's gardens, I knew I wanted to create a garden space with beauty tucked into every corner while having vases of flowers to put in every room.
My eyes were opened to the gravity and immense meaningfulness of flower gifting at my father's funeral in September 2020. The sheer amount of flower arrangements we received and the heartfelt messages buoyed my spirits during my most difficult time.
My current garden favorites are punchy raspberry dahlias and queen series zinnias.
our board of directors
katharine
Secretary
Hi! My name is Katharine Corgan. Originally from New England, I came to JMU as a freshman over 20 years ago and never left! I met my husband, Vito, here and we've owned and operated restaurants in Harrisonburg since 2007. We have 4 children who keep us on our toes, having fun and running to all the activities!
I love this beautiful, outdoorsy and artsy community in which we work and live. I'm so grateful to be a part of Friendly City Floral's board and for all the sunshine and brightness this organization spreads.
lisa
My name is Lisa Roeschley and I have lived in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley since 1992. My husband and I fell in love with the beauty each season brings here in the valley. I have been teaching for Rockingham County the past 32 years, most recently teaching Kindergarten the past four years. While teaching nothing brings me greater joy than teaching my students the value of showing kindness through gifting flowers. We plant in the Spring and enjoy gifting flowers in the Fall. My husband and I are also co-owners of Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co. located in downtown Harrisonburg. We have two married sons currently living in Crozet and Harrisonburg.
audrey
Hi I'm Audrey! I am so thrilled to be part of the board for Friendly City Florals. My journey with this special team started back in Charlotte when my event design business helped me connect with Rebecca, the co-founder. We hit it off instantly, sharing love for creating unforgettable moments. When I'm not working events, you can find me snuggled up with my cat or finding the best cup of coffee in town.
rebekah
Rebekah Brubaker is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has been licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2008. She has spent her career working in the public mental health, substance use and developmental services field and is the Executive Director of the Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board. Outside of work, Rebekah enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage sons. These days she spends the majority of her time attending her sons’ activities and supporting them in their varied interests.
katie
Katie Swartzendruber, a school counselor turned farmer-florist, is the owner of Thyme After Thyme Boutique Flower Farm, a seed-to-vase micro-farm located outside the town of Bridgewater. Thyme After Thyme is on 3 acres, with under 1/2 an acre in production.
Thyme After Thyme specializes in providing locally grown, seasonal blooms for weddings and other formal events, market bouquet subscriptions, and arrangements of all sizes for special occasions or 'just because!'
stacy
Stacy Quinn is a family medicine physician who has been a part of the Harrisonburg community for three years. Passionate about patient care and wellness, she is committed to making a positive impact in the local healthcare landscape.
Outside of work, Stacy spends most of her time with her husband and two children, supporting their various activities. She also enjoys photography, reading, spending time outdoors and traveling.
Stacy is proud to serve on the board of Friendly City Florals, appreciating the joy and message it brings to the community.
MEG
Meg Thomas moved to Harrisonburg in 2023. She appreciates how this community offers so much for her young family to grow - from the outdoors to the arts to an overall sense of belonging. With a career in nonprofit fundraising/operations and a graduate degree in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, she is thrilled to join the board of Friendly City Florals to foster that same sense of community through flowers. She firmly believes in the power of nonprofit organizations to bring people together and provide mutual benefit for volunteers and donors as much as those served. She loves exploring new places, celebrating people, chasing her dog, and cheering on JMU's Women's Tennis team. Go Dukes!
