Avalon Hospice

Jennifer Slaughter knows how even a small gesture of thoughtfulness can brighten the days of a hospice patient. That's why she and her husband Terry, both avid gardeners, have spent the past four years developing Perenity, a one-of-a-kind flower ministry for hospice patients. "When you're dying, the smallest thing means so much," Jennifer explains. "This ministry is more than nice. It's remarkable. It's important. It's much more than just the flowers."

Every week, our volunteers pick up the dozens of flower arrangements Jennifer and a few helpers create, and distribute them to patients. Most of the flowers are cut from Jennifer's personal gardens, but many are donated, left over from weddings and other special events.

Perenity also receives floral donations from the families of hospice patients who have requested that their funeral flowers be used in the arrangements. Gallery Terrence Denley, a garden design gallery in Birmingham, Alabama, supports Perenity as do many other floral businesses and volunteers throughout our service area.

The program is the only one of its kind and thought to be unique within the United States.  Perenity's flowers brighten the lives of hundreds of patients throughout the year.