The operator of a Surrey flower shop is raising money for a “florist family member” whose business has been devastated by the destruction of a car crashing through her shop window in North Vancouver.
It happened at Special Moments Flowers & Gifts on Saturday, May 4, when a speeding vehicle sent another into the shop, causing its closure a week before busy Mother’s Day.
Tracy Bell, who runs La Belle Fleur Floral Boutique in the Boundary Park area of Surrey, saw a CTV News story about the dramatic incident and then launched an online fundraiser for Jennifer Sullivan, who operates Special Moments.
“This would be a terrible thing at any time, but right before the busiest week of a florists’ year is devastating,” Bell said in a post on gofundme.com. “I am hoping you will join me in helping a hard-working small business get through this very difficult time.”
So far close to $800 has been raised, with a goal of $10,000.
“I know it’s a lofty goal,” Bell said. “I’m not sure if she has insurance or what the situation is, I just wanted to help. As a florist, Mother’s Day gets you through slower Junes and summer months, you know. It was just heartbreaking to see what happened to her.”
Bell said she hasn’t met Sullivan in person, only on social media.
“We support each other’s businesses through that,” Bell added. “She’s been in business the exact number of years I have (27), and I know what she’s been through. I just felt a kinship with her, and this (floral) industry is different, it’s special. We don’t see each other as competitors.”