Annual Buy Flowers, Not Girls sale to raise money to fight human trafficking

Last year’s Buy Flowers, Not Girls fundraiser to fight human trafficking.

Photo credit: Mi-Ree Zwick

By Elizabeth Salo

Concordia’s Lighthouse Club will host its annual Buy Flowers, Not Girls sale on Friday, Feb. 13 to raise funds for International Justice Mission, an organization that is working to end human trafficking.

Carnations from Buy Flowers, Not Girls in 2024. Photo: Nora Betts.

Flowers are now available for pre-order through a QR code on posters around campus. Lighthouse members will also sell flowers in J-Top from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 13, just in time for St. Valentine’s Day.

“Right now, we are promoting pre-order sales for roses, carnations and Gerber daisies,” said Lighthouse Club President Brynn Holtmeier. “People can order flowers using the QR code… or, even if they do not pre-order flowers, [they can] purchase flowers on February 13.”

All proceeds will go to fight human trafficking around the world.

“All the money from the flower sales will go directly towards the International Justice Mission, which is an organization that combats human trafficking,” Holtmeier said.

This year, ASL Club will also provide cookies for students to decorate during the event, starting at 8 a.m. until supplies run out.

“ASL is going to have a table set up in J-Top. We’re going to be having cookies that are shaped in ‘I love you’ signs in [American] Sign Language that people can come decorate with Valentine’s Day colors, sprinkles, and all the works,” said Arabella Blakeley, the president of Concordia’s ASL Club.

The cookie-decorating table will also take donations for Lighthouse Club and International Justice Mission.

“We will also have a donation basket front and center, and if you want to donate any money, all of our funds that we raise will be going straight to Lighthouse Club to help support them in what they’re doing,” said Blakeley.