Early AFE Pledges Total $163,460

Early pledges to the American Floral Endowment's Phone-A-Thon fund raising include 76 pledges totaling $163,460. Eleven of these pledges are over $5,000, with five of those being $10,000 or more. These five pledges are made by Mo Ecke (Mrs. Paul Ecke, Jr.), Oscar Carlstedt Co., Leider Horitcultural Cos., Mellano & Co., and Smithers-Oasis. 

Mo Ecke, wife of the late Paul Ecke, Jr. writes in her letter pledging $10,000: "AFE funds research and educational development in floriculture. My late husband, Paul Ecke, Jr. was passionate about both of these important areas.  He worked tirelessly for more than 25 years to help insure that tomorrow's growers would be the best that they can be I would encourage each of you to make a contribution to the American Floral Endowment so that the good work that they do can ensure the future of the floral industry for generations to come."  

The American Floral Endowment will be holding its largest-ever fundraising event in June, with a goal of raising $2 million. On June 8 and 9, FTD will host a Phone-A-Thon at their headquarters in Chicago, with a second Phone-A-Thon event on June 14 and 15 hosted by Teleflora at their Oklahoma City location. More than 60 volunteer industry leaders will participate at one of these events, calling industry companies to ask for five-year pledges to support AFE's research and education programs. 

To contribute contact the American Floral Endowment at 618/692-0045, or mail your contribution to P.O. Box 945, Edwardsville, IL  62025.

The American Floral Endowment is a not-for-profit corporation that raises and prudently invests funds to support production and market research and education programs to benefit the floriculture industry. Over the past 43 years, generous contributions from every segment of the industry have enabled the Endowment to invest over $11 million to help find solutions to industry needs. For additional information regarding the programs of the Endowment, visit the website: www.endowment.org.