Poinsettia sale benefits kids battling diabetes

CEDAR RAPIDS - Al Pierson walks through his greenhouse, surrounded by countless potted plants sprouting splashes of red, pink and white. He's been growing these holiday favorites since August. Some are ready to go, others need a few more weeks before they'll be in full color.

It's poinsettia time at Pierson's Flower Shop & Greenhouse, 1800 Ellis Blvd. NW in Cedar Rapids, and for the 30th year, the shop is supplying hundreds of plants to a local philanthropic organization raising money in the fight against Type 1 diabetes.

Alumnae from the Pi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta at Coe College are hosting their 30th annual Poinsettia Drive with orders now being taken and plants to be delivered after Thanksgiving.

Two sizes of poinsettias are available - a 6-inch foil-wrapped pot and an 8-inch foil-wrapped pot. Cost is $13 for the 6-inch pot and $22.50 for the 8-inch pot.

Poinsettias are available in several different colors - the traditional red, pink and white, as well as Monet (pink with tiny white speckles), marble (pink with white edges), burgundy and 'jingle bells” (red with splatter paint white speckles).

For every plant ordered, $5 is to be donated in the fight against diabetes. The Pi Chapter sends a portion of its money to support Diabetes Camp each summer at Camp Tanager in Mount Vernon.

Founded in 1987, Diabetes Camp provides children with diabetes ages 7 to 17 an environment to enjoy educational and recreational activities under the supervision of medical staff. Programming provides children with diabetes a better understanding of their disorder. Upward of 60 children take part in the camp each year.

'We market this as ‘Decorate for a Cause,' ” said Beth Hammell, who is helping coordinate this year's poinsettia drive for Alpha Gamma Delta. 'If you normally purchase poinsettias for your home decor or give them as gifts, why not buy them from us?”

Hammell said the organization typically sends at least $1,000 to the camp each year and additional funds are sent to Alpha Gamma Delta Philanthropies, which distributes the money to organizations focused on diabetes research, like JDRF - the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The local group sells between 350 and 500 plants each year.

Poinsettias are to be delivered, free of charge, this year to residents in the Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha areas. Delivery dates are Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 28-29, and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3. Other dates may be available upon request. Those wishing to give plants as gifts may do so.

For more information and to request an order form, contact Hammell by email at ham5fam@gmail.com.

Pierson said his shop typically sells about 5,000 poinsettias - in about 20 varieties - each year. Many go to individuals, business and churches, and others are supplied to fundraising groups like Alpha Gamma Delta.

'It's a good fundraiser for them,” he said.

Pierson's has been in business 88 years. The business was established by Al Pierson's grandparents, Roland and Ruth Pierson in 1928. Later, Al's parents, Bob and Nancy Pierson, took over and today, Al runs the business with his brother Rollie.

Hammell praised Pierson for his long-term commitment to the Alpha Gamma Delta fundraiser.

'He is such a civic minded guy,” she said. 'Now having survived two floods, he's always so cheerful and willing to help. This year again, after the flood, there wasn't a moment of hesitation to help us out.”