Healing Brave has a quote that says “You’re brave enough to explore the darkness. You might find your own light when you are at it.” In 2022 Catherine Szabad experienced heartbreak and darkness with the death of her son Eric. Her grief was immense. Catherine felt lost and isolated. Once her son’s funeral was over the world seemed to move on as she continued to grieve. She knew she needed to do something and began thinking about the widows and widowers who were having similar experiences as her. Mourning alone and always missing their loved one. Catherine’s caring heart propelled her to take action, and in 2024 she founded Hearts In Bloom in Buffalo NY, modeling it after “The Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project,” founded by Ashely Manning where widows were given flowers and gift baskets to remind them they are loved and not forgotten.
“People ask me why I do this. I answer that it’s really a kind thing to do-but quietly, I know I’m really doing it for my son and to help those who have a sense of loss and missing someone they loved dearly.” Catherine Szabad
When Catherine founded Hearts In Bloom there were many unknowns yet she knew one thing. This would happen. She and her aunt went to a community college to take a course on how to arrange flowers. Catherine learned how to do google docs so people could fill out the form to nominate people and volunteer. As word got out one by one people began to volunteer to help out. News stations were helpful to get the word out and even went out with volunteers during deliveries to tell these incredible stories. Volunteers helped to arrange flowers and put the gift bags together. There was a surprising number of young widows being nominated along older widows and some widowers as well. In 2024 deliveries went out to 41 people. Hearts In Bloom delivered to 137 people in 2025. Catherine shared making the deliveries is a magical moment. Recipients do not know that Hearts In Bloom are coming to show them some love. She shared how the first year one volunteer was unable to make a delivery. It was cold, icy, and snowy. Her cousin who was tired from working all day and making other deliveries in a begrudging way said he would do it. When he arrived at the house a young widow greeted him and he saw two young children inside. The widow was speechless and grateful, the children were thrilled for their mom. He came back transformed in the best of ways by this experience and said he cannot wait to do it again.
“In the quiet spaces where love still lingers, we bloom. We want to honor the enduring power of love by delivering flowers and heartfelt gifts to widows and widowers each Valentine’s Day.” Hearts In Bloom
This is how the Hearts In Bloom process works. In January the submission form is released where people can nominate a widow or widower to receive flowers and a gift basket on Valentine’s Day. Volunteers sign up to help with everything. This non-profit relies on the giving nature of individuals and businesses to help with items, like the flowers, along with helping to fill gift baskets. She shared that there was a woman from the finger lakes area who drove four hours round trip to help arrange flowers. Recipients typically do not know the flowers and gift baskets are coming. If someone is not at home Hearts In Bloom will leave a “Sorry we missed you” card with instructions on how to reach out on how to get their delivery. On Valentine’s Day the magic happens as Catherine and all the other Hearts In Bloom volunteers, including her cousin, head out to make their special deliveries.
“Through small acts of kindness, we aim to lift spirits, celebrate lasting love, and remind the thousands who drive that they are seen, supported, and are never forgotten.” Hearts In Bloom
Catherine decided to add “A Mother’s Love” to Hearts In Bloom to acknowledge the moms who are carrying immense grief over the death of a child. 2025 will be the first year for this initiative. She sees it as “something to let these moms know that someone is thinking about them.” The plan is to deliver flowers prior to Mother’s Day. Her experiences with grieving the death of her son knows that this is a “weight no one can help you lift” yet wants these moms to know that they are not forgotten and that someone is thinking of them. The day of the deliveries will be to honor mothers who have lost a child.
“Spreading love one bouquet at a time.” Hearts In Bloom
We are thrilled and honored to shine the Kindness Champion spotlight on the remarkable non-profit on Hearts In Bloom and A Mother’s Love in Buffalo New York. Where Catherine Szabad took the grief and darkness from the death of her son to found a nonprofit that showers love and acknowledgement on widows, widowers, and grieving mothers with bouquets of flowers and gift baskets “bringing beauty, comfort, and care to those experiencing loss right here in Buffalo.” We thank you for being you and bringing your awesomeness to the world.
For more information or to supports Hearts in Bloom and A Mother’s Love here is their information:
Website: https://www.heartsinbloom.org/
Instagram: @heartsinbloom.buffalo https://www.instagram.com/heartsinbloom.buffalo/
Facebook: @HeartsinBloomBuffalo https://www.facebook.com/people/Hearts-in-Bloom-Buffalo/61555675727022/
