Birthday Traditions

Local Family Business Supports Keiro for 27 Years

At Keiro, residents typically celebrate their birthdays with a huge cake, a party with family and friends, and… flowers! For 27 years, this celebration was enhanced by the support of Kiku Florist & Gifts, which donated handmade corsages and boutonnieres to Keiro Nursing Home and, eventually, to South Bay Keiro Nursing Home and to Keiro Intermediate Care Facility.

“Working with Keiro was a way to donate to a place that we were familiar with,” explains shop owner Sharon Nakagawa, whose father-in-law Bud Nakagawa was a resident at Keiro Nursing Home.

“In the early days we would work late and deliver corsages around midnight,” recalls Sharon, who spent countless hours wrapping carnations, adding ribbons for the ladies. “We wanted to continue giving corsages so Keiro residents would receive something special on their birthdays.”

“We are so grateful for the support of Kiku Florist, as well as others like Tokio Florist (now closed) which donated flower arrangements for 20 years, and Family and Friends of Keiro Nursing Homes which provides cards and volunteer support during birthday parties,” says Yoshiko Kobayashi, activities manager at Keiro Nursing Home. “Our residents benefit because our community cares.”

Read more Reflections on 50 Years.