Community Volunteers Spread Valentine's Cheer at Local Nursing Homes

Nonprofit group Friends and Flowers organizes flower deliveries and visits across five cities in Idaho and Utah.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Volunteers from the nonprofit group Friends and Flowers delivered flowers and spent time with nursing home residents across five cities in east Idaho and northern Utah this Valentine's Day. The group, founded by Jaren Pugmire, wanted to spread love and companionship to widows, widowers, and other seniors who might feel lonely on the holiday.

Why it matters

Nursing home residents, especially those without regular visitors, can experience loneliness and isolation, which can negatively impact their mental and physical health. Initiatives like the one organized by Friends and Flowers help build community and bring joy to these vulnerable populations.

The details

Friends and Flowers, a volunteer-based organization, delivered flowers and spent time visiting with nursing home residents in Rexburg, Rigby, St. Anthony, Idaho Falls, and Logan, Utah. While they weren't able to reach every facility on their list this year, the group's leaders, including Ethan Jensen in Rexburg, say their goal is to expand the effort to all local nursing homes in the future.

  • On Valentine's Day 2026, Friends and Flowers volunteers delivered flowers and visited with nursing home residents across five cities in east Idaho and northern Utah.

The players

Friends and Flowers

A volunteer-based nonprofit organization that organizes events to spread love and build community, especially for vulnerable populations like nursing home residents.

Jaren Pugmire

The founder of Friends and Flowers, who started the organization after realizing there were many nursing home residents who might feel lonely on Valentine's Day.

Ethan Jensen

A leader of the Friends and Flowers organization in Rexburg, Idaho, who previously worked at a nursing home and wanted to bring joy to the residents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I used to work at one of the homes in St. Anthony. I've seen how they live their day-to-day lives. They're such sweet people, and sometimes they want someone to come visit and talk to them.”

— Ethan Jensen, Leader, Friends and Flowers (Rexburg) (eastidahonews.com)

“They love spreading love and community with those residents in those facilities, that maybe don't have anyone come visit them.”

— Ethan Jensen, Leader, Friends and Flowers (Rexburg) (eastidahonews.com)

What’s next

Friends and Flowers plans to expand its Valentine's Day flower delivery and visit program to reach all nursing homes in the east Idaho and northern Utah region next year and in the years to come.

The takeaway

Initiatives like the one organized by Friends and Flowers demonstrate the power of community volunteers to bring joy and companionship to vulnerable populations, such as nursing home residents who may otherwise feel isolated, especially on holidays focused on love and connection.