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Central Coast VNA & Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Quinn Junghans and Second Bloom Project Founder Anne Bell work on floral arrangements to cheer up hospice patients. Photo: Kelli Uldall A s a florist, Anne Bell would stand ankle deep in excess trimmings, creating arrangements that would adorn grand events before being quickly tossed aside. Today, Bell gives new meaning to "flow- er power"—repurposing unused or discarded flowers to help brighten the day of someone in hospice care. After a long career, Bell started Second Bloom Project, a nonprofit that bands together nurses, patients, design volunteers and community florists to create beautiful bedside arrangements. Central Coast VNA & Hospice participates in the program, one that has continued in earnest despite the pandemic. "We're committed to continuing our services to bring a little bit of joy to those who need it most," Bell says. After raising five children, Bell and her hus- band moved from Roseville to La Selva Beach to build an empty nest. She took a job at Pebble Beach Co. in the floral design department but wanted something more fulfilling. So she quit and convinced management to participate in her new nonprofit. "I've witnessed the great appreciation of hospice patients and their families by this unex- pected gift of flowers," says Bell. "I love the opportunity to give back to my community." Prospective volunteers can reach out to Second Bloom Project through secondbloomproject.com. Giving Flower s a Second Bloom at Hospice B Y L A R R Y H A R L A N D SHORTCUTS GIVING BACK 74 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 2 0