Dallas Flower Girls Brighten Days at Recovery Center

High school volunteers bring bouquets to lift spirits of residents at the Dallas 24 Hour Club

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:33am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm color and light, depicting a bouquet of fresh flowers on a table with blurred figures in the background, conveying a sense of comfort and community.Vibrant flower bouquets brought by local teen volunteers help brighten the days of those seeking recovery at the Dallas 24 Hour Club.Dallas Today

Three high school students - Phoebe Rupp, Maddie Cofer, and Ava Sudbeck - have taken on the role of "flower girls" at the Dallas 24 Hour Club, a rehab facility for people experiencing substance use disorders. A few times a month, the girls assemble bouquets of flowers to deliver to residents, hoping to brighten their days and provide a small gesture of care and support.

Why it matters

The flower deliveries are part of the 24 Hour Club's holistic approach to supporting residents in recovery, recognizing that small acts of kindness and feeling cared for can have a meaningful impact on one's mental health and wellbeing. The volunteer work also provides the high school students an opportunity to give back to their community.

The details

Phoebe Rupp, Maddie Cofer, and Ava Sudbeck, all high school students, have taken on the role of "flower girls" at the Dallas 24 Hour Club. A few times a month, the girls assemble bouquets of flowers donated primarily from Trader Joe's and deliver them to residents at the rehab facility. The students say the simple gesture of receiving flowers can lift someone's spirits and make them feel cared for during a difficult time.

  • The flower girl program at the Dallas 24 Hour Club started when Phoebe Rupp was in 8th grade, after she was inspired by a similar program run by her mother's friends.
  • Phoebe, Maddie, and Ava have been volunteering as flower girls a few times a month since they were freshmen in high school.

The players

Phoebe Rupp

A high school student who started the flower girl program at the Dallas 24 Hour Club after being inspired by a similar initiative run by her mother's friends.

Maddie Cofer

A high school student who volunteers as a flower girl at the Dallas 24 Hour Club, helping to assemble and deliver bouquets to residents.

Ava Sudbeck

A high school student who volunteers as a flower girl at the Dallas 24 Hour Club, helping to assemble and deliver bouquets to residents.

Adrienne Santaularia

The development director at the Dallas 24 Hour Club, who oversees the flower girl program and explains how it supports the organization's holistic approach to resident care.

Dallas 24 Hour Club

A rehab facility in Dallas, Texas that provides wraparound services for people experiencing substance use disorders.

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What they’re saying

“When you're having a rough day, flowers always brighten your whole experience.”

— Phoebe Rupp, High school student and flower girl

“It's nice to get a bouquet of flowers from somebody you don't even know. They're just so appreciative of something so small.”

— Ava Sudbeck, High school student and flower girl

“If someone feels like someone cares about them, they're going to grow. They're going to develop into who they possibly can be, because they have the support backing them. And that's what we do for our residents and that's what the flower girls do as well.”

— Adrienne Santaularia, Development Director, Dallas 24 Hour Club

What’s next

The flower girls plan to continue volunteering at the Dallas 24 Hour Club as often as they can, and they are always looking for more flower donations, primarily from local grocery stores like Trader Joe's, to expand their efforts.

The takeaway

The flower girl program at the Dallas 24 Hour Club demonstrates how small acts of kindness and community support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people working through substance use recovery. The volunteer work also provides the high school students an opportunity to give back and learn the value of service.