text: Long-term care residents receive Canada Blooms bounty as spring begins
  Residents at Castleview Wychwood Towers, one of the City of Toronto's 10 long-term care homes, welcomed spring today by accepting a donation of several hundred flowers featured in Canada Blooms, Canada's largest flower and garden festival. The festival, held at the Direct Energy Centre, ended yesterday. The residents were joined by Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21 St. Paul's), Gerry Ginsberg, General Manager of Canada Blooms, and Reg Paul, Director of Administration and Support for Long-Term Care Homes and Services.
  "We are proud to donate these beautiful flowers to the residents of Toronto who have contributed so much to the quality of life in our city," said Ginsberg.
  The unique partnership between Canada Blooms and the City of Toronto's Long-Term Care Homes and Services division is in its fourth year. In past years, residents at Fudger House, Bendale Acres and Cummer Lodge have benefited from the program, which provides a home for hundreds of healthy plants while improving quality of life for long-term care residents who have spent a large amount of time indoors during the winter and are ready to welcome spring.
  "Quality of life is so important for people in long-term care, and that goes beyond health to encompass other things that bring joy, stimulation and peace of mind to residents," said Councillor Mihevc. "Our generous partners have succeeded in bringing the exuberance and beauty of Canada Blooms to these residents."
  After the show closed its doors yesterday evening, a group of dedicated volunteers spent hours sorting through the flowers used in demonstration areas throughout the show, preparing several hundred plants for shipping and loading them onto pallets. This morning, Procter's Cartage delivered the bounty to Castleview Wychwood Towers by truck, free of charge.
  Residents who attended today's event were invited to select flowers for their rooms. Afterwards, staff and volunteers visited every room in the building to ensure that residents who were not able to attend the celebration also received beautiful, fragrant plants to brighten their bedsides.
  In addition to Castleview Wychwood Towers, Canada Blooms donated plants to local partners in care, including New Horizons Towers, Christie Gardens, Bellwoods Dundas Project, Bellwoods Park House and Community Connect Program, as well as three City of Toronto supportive housing sites - Cedarbrook Lodge, Winchester Square and Cliffwood Manor. During the show, Canada Blooms also offered supportive housing clients a chance to visit the show, giving them free passes.