CARY, N.C. — The face of North Carolina is rapidly changing. Not only are more people moving, but statistics show the number of people aging is quickly on the rise. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the state’s 85-and-up population is expected to grow by a staggering 116% from 2020-2040.  

What You Need To Know

  • Marie Martin started Mom Wishing Widows Well in 2021 
  • Volunteers hand make floral arrangements on Feb. 12 and 13 to be delivered to people in need or living alone on Valentine’s Day
  • Their mission is to let others know they’re loved and cared for 
  • The group delivered 200 bouquets last year and hopes to exceed 500 this year 

As we age that means many people are often left without family or living alone, and that’s where a group of volunteers in the Triangle are jumping in, working to put a smile on people’s faces.  

When Marie Martin first moved to North Carolina several years back, she noticed a growing number of people in her neighborhood and volunteer groups living alone. So she decided to start making handmade floral arrangements, delivering them around the holidays.  

“When you walk up to the house, and you have a bouquet of flowers, and one of the first things they say is, 'Who sent this to me? Who did I get this from?' It's hard to describe that look on their face,” Martin said.  

Martin immediately knew she wanted to help even more people, so she created the nonprofit MOM Wishing Widows Well, and the response has been immense.  

“If you just look around your neighborhood, you will find that there are probably individuals in your neighborhood that are living alone,” Martin said.  

They’re people Martin says are often overlooked. So now, she and more than 150 volunteers are doing what they can to let their neighbors know how much they’re loved and cared for.  

On Feb. 12, 13 and 14, volunteers will fill the Cary Senior Center, forming an assembly line to create beautiful bouquets that will be hand delivered by other volunteers and community partners like Meals on Wheels and area retirement communities on Valentine’s Day.  

“When you take that arrangement to someone and they are not expecting it. And to do this is just so wonderful for them. And once you do it, you'll never forget it,” Martin said.  

Martin says none of this would be possible without personal and corporate volunteers and donations. The Cary Senior Center gives the space for volunteers to make the bouquets, while grocery stores like the local Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's and Nelson’s Blooms donate some of the flowers.  

People in the community submit the names of those they would like to receive a bouquet, while others, like Denise Kilmas, give of their time, money and resources to help make and hand deliver the finished flower arrangements.  

“When she was holding those flowers, and she was telling me about her recently deceased husband,” Klimas remembered while recollecting on a delivery she made last year, “it meant so much to her to be able to have someone to talk to who was also a widow.”  

The nonprofit was founded in 2021 and has grown quickly. Last year, they were able to deliver 200 bouquets on Valentine’s Day. This year, Martin expects to exceed 500 bouquets. It’s a ton of work, but Martin says it’s totally worth the dedication and time she puts into it, and only hopes to continue to grow and help even more people in the future.  

“There are so many people who want to give back to their community, and this is a special way for them. It's a fun way,” Martin said.  

MOM Wishing Widows Well will continue to accept recipient recommendations through Feb. 9, but will always take donations and volunteers for future events. Visit their website to donate or learn how you can get involved.