More than 200 volunteers help make Hospice Austin the extraordinary place it is, generously contributing thousands of hours of service each year. Among them is a special group at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House affectionately known as the Flower Fairies.
Thanks to the generosity of Freytag’s Florist, the rooms and hallways at Christopher House are always brightened by fresh-cut bouquets. We also occasionally receive donations of beautiful arrangements from weddings and other events. Our Flower Fairies are the volunteers who carefully trim, arrange, and deliver these blooms to each patient’s room—bringing color, comfort, and a gentle reminder that they are
cared for.
For Alana, this role is deeply personal. She began volunteering with Hospice Austin in 2008 but stepped away for a time after the death of her husband, Bob. 
When she returned, she found that working in the flower room and delivering flowers gave her a meaningful way to connect with patients and with their families. “Flowers give me an opportunity to visit patients,” Alana explains. “Most people love receiving them, and it often opens
the door for conversations about their lives and memories. I think it’s healing for both the patient and their family.”
Alana says that some of the most meaningful moments come from supporting families during difficult times. “Sometimes families don’t know it’s okay to cry,” she says. “I lost my husband. I lost my mother-in-law. We all have losses. So when a family member says, ‘I just don’t know what to do,’ I can tell them, ‘It’s okay—this is the place for you to cry. You’re safe here, and we’re here to support you.’ You really see the best parts of people at Christopher House. I feel privileged when families share the stories of their loved ones.”
Flowers make a special impact on patients who may not have visitors or family nearby. A simple bouquet becomes a heartfelt gift of love—a reminder that they are seen and valued.
“Because it means so much to the patients and families to receive these flowers,” Alana says, “it means so much to me.”