ALEXANDRIA, VA – Five new named funds were announced at the American Floral Endowment (AFE) Annual Fundraising Dinner on Aug. 14. Establishing a named fund is a way to show your support of the industry and leave a lasting tribute to the floral industry for years to come. These funds join with seven other named funds created since 2011.
Two New Designated Named Funds (funds designated for a particular project, like a scholarship, research effort or grant):
The Todd Bachman Memorial Fund – to underwrite AFE's quarterly print and electronic news Bulletin.
Todd Bachman served as chairman and CEO of Bachman's before his untimely death in 2008. Bachman was a past chairman of AFE and was very active in many state and national industry organizations. Because of his great leadership, he was inducted into the Society of American Florists' (SAF) Floriculture Hall of Fame posthumously in 2010 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the industry. Those who knew him will always remember what a great communicator he was and his outstanding leadership and devotion to work and family. His wife and daughters are honored to carry on his legacy.
The Del Demaree Family Fund – $250,000, to establish an internship program to market the industry as a viable career path to attract top collegiate talent with a concentration in business.
Delmar "Del" Demaree has an unsurpassed commitment to the floral industry and to the Endowment, where he served as chairman in the early 1990s. As chairman of Syndicate Sales, Inc., he has earned the utmost respect of his peers and colleagues throughout more than 60 years in the industry. Demaree has led many industry organizations over the years, notably as SAF president and as treasurer for the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA). Further, he received the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Award of Merit for his support and promotion of AIFD's educational goals and also the Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award for WF&FSA. The Demaree Family has been a generous supporter of AFE for decades and continues their involvement today.
Three New Undesignated Named Funds (flexible gifts not designated for a particular project or effort):
The Pennock Company Fund – $125,000
The Pennock Company was founded in 1882 and is a premier wholesaler serving the Eastern Seaboard with a full selection of cut flowers, floral containers and supplies and specialty items. Today, the Pennock Company continues to grow, with more than 200 associates in eight locations. Pennock sells exclusively to retail florists and outlets and has been a proud AFE supporter since the mid-1970s.
The Tom Butler Family Fund – $50,000
Industry icon and AFE champion Tom Butler began his distinguished career in the industry more than 44 years ago and established the Tom Butler Family Fund in July before he passed away. After holding multiple prestigious positions, Butler joined American Floral Services (AFS) and in 2000 led their merger with Teleflora, creating the world's largest flowers-by-wire company. He served as AFE's development chairman from 2008-2014, as chairman from 2010-2012 and was recently appointed as an emeritus trustee. He was inducted into the SAF Floriculture Hall of Fame in 2012 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to advancing floriculture in America.
The Peter Ullrich/Esmeralda Farms Fund – $35,000
Born in Germany in 1942, Peter Ullrich moved to the U.S. in 1962 and is chairman of Esmeralda Farms. He was one of the first growers to establish a presence in Latin America and foresaw the possibilities of its favorable climate for growing flowers. Esmeralda Farms is a market leader in the floral industry, committed to breeding, growing and distributing the highest quality fresh cut flowers. Based in Miami, Esmeralda is dedicated to the sales, marketing and distribution of flowers and only sells flowers grown by its own operated farms in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Peter Ullrich and Esmeralda Farms have been proud AFE supporters since 2000.
About AFE
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The American Floral Endowment is dedicated to advancing the industry through funding floriculture research, educational grants and scholarships. More than $15 million has been funded toward research projects benefiting the entire industry, and more than $500,000 has been funded in scholarships designed to attract and retain the future leaders of the industry. To learn more about AFE visit www.endowment.org or www.fb.com/americanfloralendowment.
Source: American Floral Endowment
