ALEXANDRIA, VA – Friends of the floral industry, are you ready for another year of the AFE Challenge? Smithers-Oasis/ FLORALIFE® is partnering with the American Floral Endowment (AFE) for the third year in a row to support AFE’s vital work that gives so much to the cut flower industry.
Today, you have the opportunity to support the Endowment, even MORE, thanks to the Matching Gift AFE Challenge issued by Smithers-Oasis/FLORALIFE®.
Now through December 31, 2019, Smithers-Oasis/FLORALIFE® will match your donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000. In other words, when you give your support to AFE, you’re not only investing in the future of the floral industry – you are DOUBLING your contribution!
AFE is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the floral industry through scholarships, grants, and internship programs. It funds research in floriculture and environmental horticulture for the benefit of retailers, growers, wholesalers, importers, and allied trade organizations. Since 1961, AFE has sponsored over $17 million to industry projects. They tackle industry challenges and help to attract and retain a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Support from floral industry members like you helps to increase and expand these programs.
“The work AFE does helps everyone in the industry, by providing research and programs for the future of the floral industry,” says Jim Daly, AFE Chairman and Vice President of FLORALIFE®/Grower Global Operations and Corporate Research. “The gift-matching challenge is a great opportunity to help make every dollar donated go even further in helping AFE’s work and we are glad to be a part of it.”
Don’t forget: your donation is not only a real benefit to our industry, but it’s also tax-deductible!
Want to make a difference?
All you have to do is go to endowment.org/donate!
*The Smithers-Oasis/FLORALIFE® Matching Gift Challenge applies to new contributions only, not to current pledges. Make your tax-deductible donation before December 31st, 2019.
About Smithers-Oasis
Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise of the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in 20 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures floral foam products, postharvest products, growing media and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture industry. OASIS® and FLORALIFE® are two of the company’s most recognized brands founded in 1954 and 1938, respectively. With more than 60 years of experience with foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also develops specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including packaging, impression, absorption, and molding. The company’s driving purpose is “to help people express and experience emotion by adding value to flowers and plants.” Smithers-Oasis, a privately-owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA.
About AFE
The American Floral Endowment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the floriculture and horticulture industry through funding research, educational grants and scholarships. Since 1961, more than $16 million has been funded in research and educational projects, and more than $3 million has been funded in scholarships and internships designed to attract and retain the future leaders of the industry. To learn more about AFE or how you can support floriculture programs, visit www.endowment.org.
