SPRINGFIELD – The Indian Orchard Citizens Council and the Indian Orchard Business Committee have kicked off the 2021 Indian Orchard Blooms Campaign, which works to help beautify the community. Each year individuals and businesses purchase flower baskets which are hung throughout Indian Orchard starting in May and maintained through October. This is the fourth year of the beautification campaign.

The first year of the campaign featured 100 hanging flower baskets. In 2021, the campaign is committed to putting up 200 baskets throughout the Indian Orchard and Boston Road area. Last year the campaign faced hardships due to COVID-19.

“Each year it just seems to have grown and then last year, of course, with the coronavirus pandemic we were kind of in a crisis-mode because after the businesses committed to purchasing the baskets, many businesses weren’t able to come through with the financial commitment,” said Zaida Govan, president of the Indian Orchard Citizens Council.

Govan said the council then had to scramble to purchase the baskets and continue to maintain them until October.

“I’m glad to say we were able to do that because of the many businesses that stepped up, especially on Boston Road and with Eastman Chemical and Rick’s Auto Body, we were able to put the baskets up and have them maintained throughout the year,” she said.

This year, Mayor Domenic Sarno has reached out to help with the campaign after a tough 2020 season. According to Govan, Sarno has purchased a basket every year since the beautification campaign began. Along with buying a basket, Sarno committed to sending a letter to all of the major businesses on Boston Road this year encouraging them to purchase a flower basket. Govan said Sarno also committed to finding the campaign a grant to help offset costs of baskets if they don’t reach their 200 basket goal.

“He [Sarno] said he would drive up Boston Road and see the baskets in September and they looked beautiful, and they weren’t dead, and they weren’t falling apart – so he actually made a commitment to help us this year after the pandemic because we felt that our residents and businesses needed something to look forward to. In May, the baskets will go up and the flowers will be blooming and they’ll be out all the way until October,” said Govan.

The deadline to purchase a flower basket has been extended from March 1 until the end of the month, said Govan. Each basket costs $140 and includes the cost of purchasing the flowers, pruning, watering and maintaining them for the months they are up.

Many businesses purchase flower baskets to be hung in front of their stores, but individuals are also welcome to contribute. Govan said the council started a legacy program two years ago where people can put up a basket in memory of someone or to honor someone. Individuals are also able to purchase a basket if they would simply like to help beautify Indian Orchard, said Govan.

“Our residents last year felt a little let down because we weren’t able to put a lot of baskets on Main Street because those are a lot of the businesses that were affected by the pandemic, but this year we’re going to be coming back in full swing and make sure that all of Main Street is in bloom,” she said.

Govan said that the campaign has already received basket purchases from many new businesses this year. She said that many businesses who couldn’t contribute last year due to the pandemic are once again helping with the campaign.

“I believe that the residents of Indian Orchard are proud of our little area of the city. We have a very tight-knit community and I feel the businesses know each other. Especially after the year that we had in 2020, I feel that they want something to look forward to. I feel it brings them a sense of hope and wonder. It makes me happy when I see them,” she said.

Those interested in purchasing a flower basket or learning more about the Indian Orchard Citizens Council are encouraged to reach out to Govan at 301-2533 or visit the Council’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/myiocc/.