For Tim Diana, giving back has always been a priority. But it wasn't until he discovered his passion for growing dahlias that he found the perfect way to make a difference. While working full-time at OtterBox, Tim started cultivating these beautiful yet challenging flowers. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he saw how much joy his blooms could bring when he began delivering them to local medical centers. Inspired by the happiness his flowers created, Tim set out on a mission to continue sharing that joy.
With the help of Linda Crum, Executive Director at OtterCares Foundation, Tim connected with Columbine Health and began donating his flowers to residents across the Columbine communities. Now, over the course of each growing season, Tim donates around 3,000 blooms, delivering them twice a week by bike to Columbine Management offices. From there, the flowers are distributed among Columbine's various locations, bringing smiles and vibrant color to residents and staff alike.
For Tim, it’s the joy the flowers provide that keeps him pedaling, and the residents of Columbine Health have come to eagerly anticipate his deliveries. Whether used in craft activities or arranged to brighten up personal spaces and dining rooms, the flowers offer both beauty and a sense of connection. As Kimberly Albro from Columbine Commons Assisted Living notes, “Here at Columbine Commons Assisted Living, our residents look forward to the flowers brought in by Tim. We love arranging bouquets and displaying them. We’re grateful to Tim for thinking of us!”
The Role of OtterCares in Supporting Tim’s Mission
OtterCares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of OtterBox, played an essential role in helping Tim turn his passion into a powerful community service initiative. According to Linda Crum, OtterCares aims to support OtterBox employees in exploring ways they can give back, using their time, talent, and resources to make a difference.
"Tim reached out to me, sharing his love of growing dahlias and his desire to provide flowers to people who would find joy in receiving them," says Linda. "We connected him with Mary Kremmer, a Master Gardener at Columbine, and together, we developed a plan to distribute the flowers to Columbine communities. Residents now use the blooms during activity time for crafts or to make floral arrangements for themselves, their dining tables, or to share with staff.”
Making a Difference in Columbine Communities
Tim’s flower donations have created a unique opportunity for Columbine Health residents. The flowers bring a burst of color to their daily routines, but more than that, they inspire conversations, creative projects, and memories of gardening experiences from their pasts. Residents often share how the blooms brighten not only their physical spaces but also their spirits."Seeing the residents light up when they receive the flowers reminds me why this work is so fulfilling," Tim says. "The joy it brings them fuels me to keep going."
The Power of Giving Back
Tim’s work with Pedaling Petals is a testament to how a personal passion can evolve into something that benefits an entire community. He credits OtterBox and OtterCares for giving him the courage to turn his love of flowers into a full-time mission. Today, in addition to his donations to Columbine, Tim sells both dahlia blooms and bulbs, sharing the beauty of gardening with even more people.
If Tim’s story inspires you to give back, volunteer to help harvest the blooms. Tim harvests them on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and your support could make a big difference in sharing these flowers with more people. Contact Tim at Info@pedalingpetals.org to learn how you can help!
Visit Tim’s site at Pedaling Petals to learn more about his journey and how flowers can brighten your life as well.
Comments