NCVC volunteers held a floristry master class in Svobodny

7 march 2024

On spring’s first weekend, volunteers representing the Amur Office of the National Corporate Volunteering Council (NCVC) taught a Spring Bouquet master class on flower arranging to the elderly wards of the Svobodny’s Lada Comprehensive Social Services Center as a way of celebrating the March 8 holiday.

Elena Snezhko, Head of SIBUR's Formula for Good Deeds social investment program, Chair of NCVC’s Amur Office:
"Today, we got together with NCVC volunteers here in Svobodny to once again visit with and congratulate the wards of the Lada Center on the occasion of the upcoming Women's Day. I am happy to be here with you today and to see everyone who had come to our gathering. We are confident that each meeting like this not only helps our participants express themselves through creativity, but also gives them a boost of exciting sentiments and positivity!"

Vera Ilyina, an invited florist representing a local flower shop Give Flowers, offered the attendees a brief insight into how International Women's Day is celebrated in various countries across the world. In Italy, for example, local ladies get together for girls-only parties on this day. Her engaging talk then seamlessly moved on to the topic of floristics. Ms. Ilyina introduced her students to the technique of arranging flower bouquets using a special floral-foam Oasis sponge. She paid particular attention to the fundamentals of creating floral compositions including the importance of proper proportions, harmony, and equilibrium.

All participants were issued a set of specialized tools used for arranging flowers including a floral knife and pruning shears, plus a set of fresh flowers. Supported by the team of volunteers, the participants set out to create their own flower arrangements. Under the strict guidance of a floristics professional the ladies were able to create truly unique bouquets: each of the arrangements turned out to be beautiful in its own way and spring-time vibrant.

Alla, a retired worker, 83:
"That was some great event. At home, my daughter took a picture of me with my bouquet and then sent it on to my grandson and other relatives, and everyone really liked it. I felt great and had fun! Thank you! Keep doing this!"

After completing her master class, Ms. Ilyina offered everyone her recommendations on caring for their arrangements by emphasizing the need for watering the flowers on a regular basis, and keeping them away from direct sunlight and drafts. That way, the bouquet would retain its fresh and original appearance for the longest time and thus delight its owner.

Following the class’s completion, surrounded by their newly created flower arrangements, the attendees took part in a festive tea party socializing with each other and with the NCVC volunteers. The celebration of the March 8 holiday ended with the attendees’ singing their favorite songs in tune with the background music.

Larisa, a child of the war, 86:
"I have always enjoyed events like these. This is not the first time we are getting together with NCVC volunteers. I really liked how my bouquet came out. I am also fond of singing! Can't live without singing. Which is why the musical part of the evening was a very welcome development. I hope to see you again soon!"

Elena Kazakova, chief expert with the Amur Gas Chemical Complex, a volunteer:
"It's great when there is a chance to share one’s joy and warmth with other people, especially with seniors. As a volunteer, this was my second meeting with them, and I am impressed by the hugeness of positivity, warmth and sincerity that you can offer to others. Many thanks to the organizers for this great idea, to the volunteers for their great teamwork, but most importantly to the elderly ladies, for their smiles and kind words."

The Amur NCVC Office was established in 2021 at the initiative of SIBUR with the support of the Government of Amur Oblast to coordinate the efforts of companies, volunteering centers and non-profit organizations in replicating the best volunteering practices throughout the region. One of the areas of the Office’s focus is providing volunteering support to the elderly. As part of the Postal Greetings campaign corporate volunteers managed to congratulate some 200 wards of the Raichikhinsky Nursing Home for the Elderly and Disabled and the Svobodnensky Lada Comprehensive Social Services Center, in addition to arranging a festive concert titled "The New Year's Miracle".

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