What does it take to win a smile?

Volunteers who spent a day and a half putting together about 350 bouquets learned that the answer is flowers when the arrangements were delivered last week to HCR Manor Care North Hills, to the sisters of Divine Providence and to individual caregivers through North Hills Community Outreach.

"It is great to see the smiles when they are delivered," said Janet Woloszky, owner of McCandless Floral and board member of Teleflora, a national floral wire service.

The effort was a part of National Make Someone Smile Week, sponsored nationally by Teleflora and locally by McCandless Floral in McCandless.

Teleflora donates the containers, Ms. Woloszky donates the flowers and volunteers put the arrangements together and help with the deliveries.

On July 20 and 21, outreach volunteers and friends helped assemble the arrangements, then delivered them to recipients July 21.

Those who receive the bouquets may have few visitors and rarely receive flowers, according to Jennifer DiLiscia, activities director at HCR Manor Care North Hills, and Cathy Pschirer, Faith in Action coordinator for North Hills Community Outreach.

"We had one woman say that she had never received flowers before in her entire life," Ms. Pschirer said. "Janet and I both have received thank-you notes."

HCR Manor Care North Hills in Ross held a party to celebrate the deliveries.

"We have a cake and other refreshments and then the flowers are delivered," Ms. Pschirer said before the party. "It is something the residents look forward to."

Ms. Woloszky has been involved with the Make Someone Smile project for three years. "It was right after I became a board member and I was eligible to participate," she said.

Like many companies, McCandless Floral has been affected by the recession. Last year, Ms. Woloszky said, the shop and volunteers made 750 bouquets.

"We would love to do more this year but have to cut back. We made 350 bouquets ... and are glad we are able to participate and have the means to do so," she said.

The program means more than just floral deliveries.

"We have one volunteer who delivers the flowers with her friend. She is so upbeat and positive. When she delivers the flowers, she just makes everyone happy," said Ms. Pschirer. "It is more than the flowers. It is also a visit."