‘Flood Candle’ program raising flood recovery funds

“Flood candles” are the latest fundraising effort to help Cedar Rapids businesses working to recover from their losses in the June 2008 flood.

Sales began last week at four local businesses under the Iowa Flood Candles program, a fundraiser for Cedar Rapids Small Business Recovery and participating businesses.

The company that makes the candles, Soyawax International, was one of nearly 800 that was temporarily closed by the record June 2008 flood on the Cedar River. After the company got back into full operation at 1029 Third Ave. SE, owner Michael Richards wanted to do something that would help other flooded businesses. Soyawax International already has a candle sales program set up for fundaising, and he decided to develop a special program for flooded businesses.

Each business gets a point-of-sale display prestocked with five different aromas of candles. The labels on each candle tin says the name of the business, followed by the words “supports Cedar Rapids Small Business Recovery.”

Candles sell for $12 each. From each sale, half of the money goes to the seller, 14 percent goes to Cedar Rapids Small Business Recovery, and 36 percent goes to Soyawax International.

Richard said he the idea seemed a natural because Soyawax International is moving into the fundraising arena, with programs designed for community organizations to raise money through candle sales. He said Soyawax International will net a modest profit of about 10 percent on each sale.

The first four participating businesses are: Pierson's Flower Shop, 1800 Ellis Blvd. NW; Garden Gate Flowers, 125 Third Ave. SE; Bimm-Ridder Sportswear, 817 Second Ave. SE; and Schumacher's Carpets, 125 Third Ave. SW.

Rebecca Pflughaupt, owner of Garden Gate Flowers, said Monday that she expects the candles to sell, although she didn't sell any during the slow time her business experiences around Thanksgiving.

“They smell fantastic,” Plfughaupt said. “I can smell them the moment I walk through the door.”

Richards expects the number of businesses offering the candles to expand considerably. He said some non-retailers may also participate, selling the candles at locations such as their in-business break rooms.

Richards was a pioneer in using renewable soy wax to make candles. He said the candles offer multiple advantages over conventional petroleum-based candles, including longer burning life, and less smoke.

The candles ccan be purchased in two styles and five scents. The styles are a single candle in a traveling tin, or three votive candles. The flavors are vanilla, lavender, bergamot, sandlewood, cinnamon and unscented.