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John Flowers was one of the most important community organizers in recent years in Poughkeepsie. In this interview, his son Frankie Flowers tells some of the history of his father’s charities and describes how he and his sister Yvonne, a Council representative in the city, are continuing his legacy. It started 25 years ago when John Flowers observed a lonely and unhappy woman in Vassar Hospital. He decided to cheer her up—and also the other patients—with stuffed animals. Somehow this original charitable impulse, which has been repeated every Christmas since, inspired other holiday celebrations—an Easter egg hunt, roses for Mother’s Day, a march on Father’s Day, a picnic for Labor Day, and (with the help of Eileen and Dan Hickey) dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  All of this, as well as “Christmas in February for Veterans, is accomplished by dedicated volunteers, known as John’s “Band of Elves.” 

Learn more:

John Flowers Community Events on Facebook: mailto:https://www.facebook.com/johnflowerscommunity/

John Flowers Obituary: mailto:https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx%3Fn=john-flowers%26pid=175641649%26fhid=27389

Liberty Medal for Flowers: https://trackbill.com/bill/new-york-senate-legislative-resolution-3988-honoring-john-m-flowers-posthumously-as-recipient-of-a-liberty-medal-the-highest-honor-bestowed-upon-an-individual-by-the-new-york-state-senate/1272903/

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Children

Humanitarian Service

Volunteers