Youth Resources Niagara hits the ‘jackpot’ with Pelham florist

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Published September 29, 2021 at 11:28 am

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Youth Resources Niagara hit the “jackpot” on September 23 – Jackpot Flowers, that is.

The community-minded flower shop and wholesale distributor, based in Fenwick (a community in Pelham), donates $500 to charity every time they hit $6,000 in sales. This time, it was Youth Resources Niagara’ turn.

John Van Vliet, who runs Jackpot with his wife, struck on the idea of giving back to the community when businesses and charities started to suffer in the early COVID-19 pandemic.

According to his website, “Every time sales reach $6,000, the jackpot will be $600. A local not-for-profit in the spotlight will receive a donation of $500. Another $100 will go to a randomly selected customer who has entered the draw. Customers who choose Jackpot Flowers support local growers, local community organizations and their own joy with the gift of flowers.”

The choice of the non-profit Youth Resources Niagara is a solid one. According to the group’s information, YRN is a multi-faceted agency consisting of three local residential homes as well as a variety of community based programs.

“Every year Youth Resources Niagara provides services for over 160 youths in our community who are homeless; have come into contact with the legal system, or been placed in (child-care.)”

YRN “provides accommodations, rehabilitative and supportive programming, and mentoring to promote personal growth, change, and accountability to empower youth to reach their full potential. These are some of our communities’ highest risk youth.”

They continue, “Our youth come from a variety of backgrounds with a multitude of needs that require attention. The youth we support often come to us with a history of neglect and abuse; unaddressed mental health issues; are homeless, and have little to no supports in the community.”

Sounds like both the flower shop and the youth group hit the “jackpot” this time.

(Photo below is Jackpot Flower owner John Van Vliet and YRN executive director Mike Taylor.)


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