Inspired by May Day baskets, Talk of the Town Floral Boutique owner Sharon Harrison wanted to do something kind for a local nonprofit.
With little time to prepare, she and her staff decided to put together May baskets to sell and be delivered on May Day, May 1. The proceeds from this sale were donated to the Chanute Art Gallery.
The gallery is still closed following vandalism, which broke the glass on many display cases, damaged flooring, and destroyed office equipment. Harrison and her team sold 55 baskets and raised $300 for the gallery.
Harrison said she was pleased with the outcome of the fundraiser on such short notice. Harrison said she completed this fundraiser in a week. She announced the fundraiser to her customers via social media on April 25, getting the baskets made and delivered by May 1.
“I had no idea about the May basket tradition until Sharon brought it up,” Talk of the Town employee, Talisa Goodner said. “ I thought it was a wonderful way to help out a local entity.”
May Day baskets were made by children out of construction paper, flowers, small treats, or gifts, which were traditionally left on the front doors of neighbors, family, and loved ones. Harrison said she remembered making the baskets as a child.
Harrison said she knew firsthand how drastic events can impact a business or nonprofit, as her business was greatly impacted by the COVID pandemic.
“You still have utilities, you still have bills,” Harrison said. “It doesn’t matter if you are open or not.”
Harrison said during the pandemic, grants, loans, and fundraisers were essential to keeping small businesses afloat. She thought this was one way she could help, similar to when her business needed help as proms and weddings were canceled in 2020.
“I know that there was a lot of damage done and insurance might not cover it all. Everything that they used on a daily basis is pretty much gone,” Harrison said. “They’ve got a long way to go, but this will at least be something they can use right now, and help them right now.”
Jean Cross, a Chanute Art Gallery Board member said the vandalism was shocking.
“We all think of our town as safe,” Cross said.
Another board member, Jean Bearrick said the damage was unbelievable. Cross said for the most part, they haven’t begun to tackle the repair process.
“You can’t imagine it until you’ve been there,” Bearrick said.
Board Vice President Mary Morris said the Chanute Art Gallery Board greatly appreciated this donation, and that there were several ways it could be used.
“It turned into something fun, we had a lot of laughs while we were making the baskets,” Maggie Hood, a Talk of the Town employee said. “I loved getting to see the joy on everybody’s faces as we delivered them, and at the end of the day, it’s a small business helping another small business.”
