Business owner, students partner to spread bows around city

Bradley Gilbert may be new to Vestavia Hills, but the owner of Homewood Flowers and Gifts is already helping the community during a tough time.

When Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills decided to ask the community to show their support and unity during the spread of the new coronavirus, Gilbert decided to help by making the bows, which are free of charge, though Gilbert said the shop does ask for donations to help pay for the supplies. The service, he said, helps the city come together while providing some income through donations for him and his family.

So far, Gilbert has delivered around 500 bows and has plans to deliver more.

“It’s been a day and night thing,” Gilbert said.

The “tremendous” response, Gilbert said, allows the community to come together and show they are thinking of each other, even if they can’t see one another while people try to social distance to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Gilbert also donated the ribbons for the Aniah Blanchard memorial after Blanchard, a Homewood native, was tragically killed last year.

To order, send your address to Gilbert on Venmo (Bradley-Gilbert-8) along with any donation, or call directly at 205-413-6965.