LYNN — The results are in. Salvy the Florist raised a record $1,860 from its past Christmas-tree fundraiser for local organizations.
Owner Salvy Migliaccio has been helping local organizations raise funds through the business’ Christmas-tree fundraiser.
For the fundraiser, Migliaccio created a donation form, which was handed out by participating organizations and the florist shop itself. Christmas-tree shoppers would then bring the form into the shop when buying their tree, filled out with the organizations they would like to allocate the donation toward. For each Christmas-tree purchase with the form, Salvy’s donated $10 out of the total purchase toward the specific organization indicated by the buyer.
Twelve different organizations participated in the program this Christmas season. Due to the amount of participating organizations, donations could be split between multiple organizations.
The Lynn Museum took part in the program and said it has been great to work with Migliaccio.
“We greatly appreciate that Salvy has been so generous over the years and has always included us in the fundraiser that he does, as well as the several other organizations from the Lynn community,” said Executive Director Doneeca Thurston. “It’s just a great opportunity to share more about the museum. Typically pre-COVID we would actually try to get to the shop a couple of times during the fundraiser to help sell trees and talk more about the museum and LynnArts so it’s been really wonderful.”
Trees purchased through the fundraiser were also delivered to customers’ homes by Migliaccio.
“That’s kind of like my Christmas gift and my appreciation for the organizations that put their trust in us,” he said.
Migliaccio added that he enjoys getting to meet families who purchase a tree through the fundraiser and become a part of their holiday.
“I see new people and when I deliver the tree for them, it’s always cool to talk to families and in a small way I’m a part of their holiday celebration so I really enjoy working with the organizations,” he said.
In 2021, the fundraiser broke its funding record, raising $1,860 across 12 organizations. The previous record was $1,355.
Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Migliaccio has been grateful for the support of small businesses and local organizations from the community.
“People are more cognizant of supporting local businesses as opposed to kind of going wherever they want for a tree,” he said.
Other participating organizations include Camp Fire North Shore, East Lynn Little League, Lynn Special Needs Camp, Lynn Youth Hockey, Lynn Youth Soccer, Pine Hill Little League, Salem/Swampscott Youth Hockey, SkillsUSA, West Lynn Pop Warner, Wyoma Little League and Veterans Association.
“People know that local businesses have been struggling for the last couple of years and I think it’s just a really good community thing of people in the community rallying around each other,” said Migliaccio.
Salvy’s first opened up in 1962 on Western Avenue in Lynn, with Migliaccio learning about the business from his father, Salvy Migliaccio Sr. The business opened a second location on Union Street.
