BLAINE, Minn., — (Dec. 20, 2013) — For five days a week, nine months out of the year teachers dedicate their time to educate our future generations no matter the countless obstacles they face. Tim Duecker, owner of Flowerama in Blaine, is making sure their efforts don’t go unnoticed. “We pick a school at random and then go through the list, and pick at random,” he said. “(We) put the name on our marquee, mention it on our Facebook page, and invite that teacher to stop by for a free dozen roses.”
Once the name is posted on the store marquee, the chosen teacher has until the end of business hours on Friday to pick up their token of appreciation. Since the start, the turnout has been pretty good. “I would say about 80 percent of the teachers come through,” Duecker said.
As for the most memorable reactions, Tim goes back to the first teacher they chose. “She had just transferred to this district. She didn’t know anybody,” he said. “A complete stranger looked that name up on the district website, contacted that teacher at her school, and it was tremendous welcome to her first week in the school district….she was ecstatic. I mean, she was almost in tears when she came by to get her roses.”
Duecker says that it’s their way of giving back to a community that has welcomed them into their area, being that they don’t live in Blaine. In addition to Teacher Tuesday, Flowerama also participates in the Blaine Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community campaign to support local military members and their families.
