Like many around the world, Marty McCall’s Sunday morning began with the harrowing news of the mass shooting in Orlando.
Dozens dead. Dozens more wounded. Millions heartbroken.
McCall had worked as a florist wholesaler in Orlando for three years.
He knew about Pulse, a popular gay nightclub in the heart of the city. It had always been a safe environment, McCall said.
Sunday changed that.
The news was a little more personal to McCall. The nephew of a rose grower with whom McCall has done business for 15 years was killed that morning.
McCall, who owns Kuhn Flowers in Jacksonville, wondered what he could do to help.
The answer came from the daughter of the owner of Katherine’s Florist, Kuhn’s sister store in Clermont.
McCall is sending seven employees to Orlando today to help make wreaths for each victim to be placed at a memorial wall being created Friday.
The three-foot wreaths will be made of “high-end flowers,” including different color roses and calla lilies, and include a laminated photograph of each victim. The arrangements would typically cost $100-$200.
In addition to the wreaths, Kuhn Flowers and Katherine’s Florist are donating flower arrangements for victims’ funeral services.
McCall is angry about the tragedy and especially at Omar Mateen, who gunned down the people in the club.
The florist was prepared to make wreaths for the 50 who died Sunday.
When McCall learned the shooter was included in that total, he altered his plans.
They will only make 49.
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