EVANSTON – Random Acts of Flowers (RAF) Chicago joined forces with Kenilworth’s Alexis Vintiques Design, housed in a 1914 barn at 558 Green Bay Road in Kenilworth, and Lake Forest beekeepers Allen and Caryn Kracower to raise funds for RAF’s mission to deliver recycled floral bouquets to thousands of recipients in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice and rehab centers, and military healthcare facilities.
Melissa Iserloth, Sharon Hayes, Hilary O’Bryan
Kracower and his wife Caryn nurture 15 beehives on their Lake Forest farm and produce 500 pounds annually of 100% organic honey and beeswax candles – both items generate funds for charity. They also advocate for the protection and survival of bees at a time when they are at risk.
Rebecca Graf, Sheri Hone, Allen Kracower
“We were delightfully surprised by the generosity of our partners, guests, and sponsors,” said RAF Executive Director Joanie Bayhack. “It was a perfect evening – stunning antiques, bountiful bouquets, about 10,000 bees and a great turnout. Support generated at this entertaining and educational event translates into approximately 600 bouquets that will touch the lives of recipients in local healthcare facilities,” Bayhack added.
Lori Muller, Carol Beitler,, Becky Kimbell, Audra Kimbell, Joanie Bayhack
The evening’s highlight included a mini beehive demonstration where Beekeeper Allen Kracower explained the hierarchy in a bee’s world. How “the boys” in-pregnant the Queen and then die. The undertaker bees take out the dead suitors and the Queen resumes her rule over the hive. He went on to explain the critically important role bees play in our ecosystem, through flower pollination, honey and wax production.
Minde Korman, Ellen Karmin, Michael Friman, Jody Shelist
The event was generously sponsored by Alexis Vintiques Design, The Grand Food Center and Wansas Tequila, the starring ingredient in the evening’s signature cocktail, Organic Honey Mint Mojitos. Talented Acoustic Guitarist Eric Latto’s music added more magic to the evening.
Beekeeper Allen Kracower
Random Acts of Flowers improves the emotional health and wellbeing of individuals in healthcare facilities across the country by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement and personal moments of kindness. In just 21 months RAF Chicago has delivered 37,000 bouquets to individuals in 155 healthcare facilities in Chicago, Lake County and beyond.
