Hearts in Bloom Buffalo makes Valentine's Day easier on widows
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WHEATFIELD, N.Y. -- It's safe to say Terry Reaser of Wheatfield wasn't ready to say goodbye to her husband of 42 years, Richard. He died suddenly in 2022.
"You have to get used to it. You don't have a choice," Reaser said.
So, you can imagine how special it was when Reaser received a delivery last Valentine's Day. It was flowers courtesy of Hearts in Bloom Buffalo.
"I was very emotional," Reaser said of Hearts in Bloom Buffalo founder Catherine Szabad. "It's a very rewarding thing, what she's doing."
Szabad founded Hearts in Bloom Buffalo last year after seeing the concept on social media in another part of the country. The nonprofit delivers flowers free of charge to widows and widowers on Valentine's Day.
"With a widow, a lot of times it ends after the funeral and everyone goes back to their everyday life," Szabad said.
She's running the nonprofit out of her home, with the help of donations and volunteers. In its first year, Hearts in Bloom Buffalo delivered 41 arrangements.
"Last year I could've done well over 200 -- that's how many names were coming through," Szabad said. "It really was so gratifying. It was so heartwarming. It was so rewarding that I couldn't wait to do it, again."
Her goal this year is 100.
"It's really just to help someone who is feeling a loss to feel good for a day."
Recipients like Reaser said she's still grateful almost a year later.
"It makes you feel good that someone remembers you. It's hard. It's very hard, and this is a nice thing to do."
To donate to the GoFundMe, click here. To nominate a recipient, click here.
Ali Touhey is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2023. View more of her work here.