connecting good things with more people

our mission

CEO image

Bloom ’n Toss captures the power of repurposing healthy flowers and plants by rescuing them and placing them into the hands of the elderly, the visually impaired, the sick, the cognitive and physically disabled, veterans, those in hospice and many other groups —spreading joy and elevating the spirits of thousands of deserving people.

our donors

put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here
put logo name here

our impact on
the
community is...
joy!

we serve
the elderly
we serve
essential workers
we serve
veterans
we serve
therapy riding
we serve
cancer survivors
as seen on
NBC
we serve
first responders
as seen on
WTTW
we serve
the physically disabled
we serve
the cognitively disabled
we serve
the young

our process is simple

Our volunteers pick up flowers and plants from generous wholesalers, florists, and grocery store florist departments, as well as event planners who manage special events such as weddings and benefit dinners — and deliver them to thousands of deserving people in need of a better day. If you’d like to donate to Bloom ’n Toss, please email us at bloomntoss@gmail.com.

who we serve

The groups we serve are as diverse as the flowers we deliver! Below is a partial list of the people and organizations we serve. If you’d like Bloom ’n Toss to make a delivery to your deserving organization, please email us at bloomntoss@gmail.com.

  • AIC | American Indian Center
  • AMITA Health
  • Black Men United
  • Bodyworks for Vets
  • Cancer Survivors
  • C.A.R.E.
  • Care for Real
  • CJE Senior Life
  • Equestrian Connection
  • Essential workers
  • First responders
  • Food pantries
  • Gateway to Learning
  • Helping Hands Center
  • Interfaith Community Partners
  • Jesse Brown VA Hospital
  • JourneyCare Hospice
  • Lighthouse for the Blind
  • Little City
  • Memory care centers
  • Niles Food Pantry
  • Northside Learning Center
  • Nursing Homes
  • The Bounce Foundation
  • The Licorice Project
  • Gateway to Learning
  • Park Plaza
  • Rogers Park Food Pantry
  • Swedish Covenant Hospital
  • Veterans
  • Z Life Organization
Events/Outreach programs:
  • AIC | American Indian Center
  • American Cancer Society ‘Relay for Life’
  • Beyond the Waters Beach Party
  • Boots for Troops
  • Rob Paddor’s Evanston Subaru Honor Ride

“I have seen efforts, public and private, to make people feel better when they can use a lift. I have never seen anything more beautiful, more effective, than Bloom ’n Toss.”

MARIA PAPPASCOOK COUNTY TREASURER

Letter

“The Bloom 'n Toss concept is simply brilliant. God Bless Catherine, her team and network of donors! The joy your flowers bring to our hospice patients and their loved ones is incredible. I am regularly moved by the resultant smiles, laughs, and tears of happiness. When words are inadequate, flowers speak volumes… and provide a light in the darkness.”

Tim LankfordJourneyCare Chaplain

“I absolutely love Bloom ’n Toss’ mission, repurposing fresh flowers and plants for those who need them the most. It’s an absolutely win/win and I love recommending them to my friends hosting nonprofit events around town.”

“CANDID” CANDACE JORDAN

“Bloom ’n Toss shares the joy that flowers can bring to groups and individuals who are often times overlooked. We are proud to partner with them.”

Tony AbruscatoDirector, Chicago Flower & Garden Show

“Lifting peoples’ spirits is at the core of what Catherine Costello does through Bloom ’n Toss. I’m honored to be apart of Catherine’s dream to give people smiles and boost their day by repurposing flowers. Her dream will become more than she ever imagined as she spreads joy.”

JUDITH JOYWWW.YESWITHJOY.COM

“Bloom ’n Toss is an amazing team, an organization that strives on life-cycling floral product to the fullest extent. Heinen’s Grocery Store is very proud to be a partner in their cause, enhancing the lives of the community by sharing our love of flowers.”

Megan StoneHeinen’s Floral Buyer and Merchandiser

“We are so excited to be partners with Catherine Costello and Bloom ’n Toss, her repurposed flowers puts smiles on the faces of those in need.”

ROB PADDOROWNER, EVANSTON SUBARU IN SKOKIE

“Partnering with Bloom ’n Toss is one of the easiest initiatives we have undertaken yet one that has brought the most fulfillment to our Team Members. They love seeing the joy that the repurposed flowers and plants bring to others. Bloom ’n Toss is a remarkable organization that makes a positive impact on both the donor and receiver!”

TOM MARCINIAKREGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, WHOLE FOODS MARKET

“Catherine, what wonderful work you do, giving away so many beautiful flower bouquets. You put so many smiles on so many faces. We applaud your work!”

Tobina KahnPresident, House of Kahn Estate Jewelers

“For several years, Bloom ’n Toss has given Little City participants the opportunity to unleash their creativity. Our participants will create floral arrangements, learn about plants and flowers through our horticulture program, and spread the beauty of flowers to others. We cannot thank Bloom ’n Toss enough for the joy they have created through their mission!”

Shawn JeffersExecutive Director, Little City

about us

“I have always been passionate about giving to others and including everyone at all stages of their lives, spreading joy and love with every donation.”

— CATHERINE A. COSTELLO

IT ALL BEGAN ON A WHIM… In the fall of 2004, at a local grocery store with her daughter, Alex, Catherine Costello looked on as the store staff gathered the expired flowers from its florist department and began throwing them into the garbage bins. She asked if she could take the flowers instead to the local nursing home of an elderly friend — to add a bit of unexpected joy to the residents there on a gloomy fall day. In that moment, the purpose of Bloom ’n Toss was born and years of giving began.

Bloom ’n Toss was formed by simply finding a better way to use flowers and plants that were no longer saleable and donate them to some of the most amazing populations out there — the physically and mentally disabled, the blind, cancer patients, seniors, veterans, and frontline workers in a crisis.

Over time one bouquet became hundreds of bouquets, one smile became thousands of smiles, one delivery became hundreds of deliveries, one volunteer became hundreds of volunteers and one donor became hundreds of donors and the program continues to grow.

Everyday I am humbled by the happiness and love my program has been able to give to so many people. Their smiles remind me of just how critical/essential it is to be remembered, to be loved, to be thought of — no matter what stage or phase in life you are in. I am blessed forever by knowing we are making a difference, however small.

Catherine Costello Founder, Bloom ’n Toss

some of our team...

Our volunteers share the desire to spread happiness to those who could use a lift in their day by — picking up from our donors, making deliveries, creating small arrangements from donated flowers and coordinating with local donor stores/services to be sure their stock is repurposed. If you’d like to volunteer with Bloom ’n Toss, please email us at bloomntoss@gmail.com.

JANICE CHA “Rescuing flowers and plants and finding new homes for them brings as much joy to Janice Cha as it does to the flower recipients. Janice, a Morton Grove resident, has volunteered with Bloom ’n Toss since 2018 after a chance meeting with Catherine Costello at an animal shelter fundraiser.”
GARRY APELIAN “I became interested in Bloom ’n Toss in 2017. I found Catherine’s work to be incredible and I offered to volunteer. It has been an honor to be a part of the outreach events, as well as volunteering to pick up and deliver flowers to nursing homes and schools for the disabled. Bloom ’n Toss has enriched my life tremendously.”
STEVE COLELLO “Bloom ’n Toss does amazing work and helps brighten the day of others through flowers. They inspire me to spread the joy. As a Store Director for Jewel-Osco, I have the opportunity to help their cause by donating flowers and also realize my passion to help those in need through this act of kindness.”
PATRICK CUTRERA “We, as a City, are beyond grateful for the sacrifices and dedication of the medical Community. They selflessly have put their lives on the line for all of us. I am forever touched and thankful for being a part of an initiative to give back to these people. Sending a big thank you to Catherine and all those involved with gifting the love of flowers.”
MONENA UYKIMPANG “I’m a wife, mother of three and a grandma to two fluffy mutts and a chubby baby. Puppies and babies brighten my day but so does a bouquet of thoughtfully gifted flowers. I joined Bloom ’n Toss because I hope to brighten someone else’s day with flowers as much as it brightens mine!”

our impact in a year

5200

deliveries

130000

people impacted

1040000

Flowers & PLANTS repurposed

88

volunteers

Thanks for believing. Counting smiles since 2004

We’re happy to hear from you!bloomntoss@gmail.com773.401.9358 Follow us on social media!

© 2021 Bloom ’n Toss | All rights reserved | McCarter Design