Two Local Rose Parade Floragraph Families Shine a Light on Organ Donors
Ohio will be represented on a national stage at the 2014 Rose parade as two local families of organ, eye and tissue donors will travel to Pasadena to place roses honoring pediatric donors and watch their loved one’s memorial floragraph portrait “Light Up the World” on the Rose Parade Donate Life Float.
Each honored individual is remembered by their generosity, compassion, and lives saved and healed through donations after death. The floragraphs will grace the lanterns of light that illuminate along the five-mile route seen by more than 40 million viewers nationwide.
The Sills family completes Robert’s floragraph.
“The donor’s families and dozens of volunteers decorate the floragraph portraits of their loved ones with grains, flowers, seeds, spices and other organic materials,” said Jenny Hoover, bereavement services coordinator at Lifeline of Ohio. “For many of their families, this is a unique opportunity to see their family member shine before millions of people worldwide and to gain special recognition for their gifts of life and hope.”
Gracing one floragraph is Robert Sills of Columbus, a generous organ and tissue donor in 2010 and an individual committed to development and volunteer efforts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The second floragraph from Ohio features Keegan Clinger of Upper
The Clinger family finish Keegan’s floragraph portrait.
Sandusky, a free-spirited 21-year-old who became a heroic organ and tissue donor in 2011. Only organic materials, such as spices, seeds, and crushed flowers, are used to create floragraphs. The Sills family, donor wife Barb and daughters Brooke and Bergen, and the Clinger family, donor parents Darlene and Daniel Clinger, will watch the floragraphs on the Donate Life Float live from the parade route on New Year’s Day.
While in Pasadena, the Sills family will also place 47 roses representing Ohio’s pediatric donors in the Dedication Garden on the float. Donor wife Barb says she’s looking forward to honoring the legacies of children in our community.
The Sills family and escort Julie Hall place these roses on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float
“It is an incredible privilege for my family and me to place a rose in the Rose Dedication Garden on the float that will “shine a light” on each child’s gift of life to others this year,” Barb said. “Each of the families have indeed created a lasting legacy in honor of their child by allowing them to live on in others. We are proud to represent these families, and to share that legacy with the thousands who are connected with the Rose Parade and the millions who will view it.”
The Sills and Clinger families will be in Pasadena through the parade on New Year’s Day. Tune in to the parade on HGTV on Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. EST, and look for the Donate Life Float to appear fifth in the line-up behind the Budweiser Clydesdales. (check your local listings)