LEWISTON – Mike Blais, owner of Blais Flowers and Garden Center, presented a gift of $1,091, raised through donations from the annual seedling giveaway, to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice.

The agency will use the gift toward the Journey of Hope Campaign for the new Hospice House.

“After reading several articles in the local paper of the services that AHCH provides and the long standing relationship that Blais Flowers has had with AHCH, it was only fitting to designate our proceeds from Blais’ annual seedling giveaway to AHCH,” said Blais.

“Our customers definitely realized the value that AHCH provides to our community and reached deep into their pocket to support this worthy cause. I would like to thank our customers for giving from the heart and AHCH for providing the new Hospice House for those who need care when care is needed most.”

The 14-patient-suite Hospice House is due to open in November and is specially designed to care for the needs of patients in the final weeks of life when hospice care at home is no longer possible. To date, the Journey of Hope Campaign for the hospice house has received support from more than 1,500 individuals, foundations, businesses and civic and fraternal groups.

“We are honored that Blais Flowers chose AHCH to be the recipient of donations received from their annual seedling giveaway,” stated Laurie Winsor, director of marketing and development. “We are very touched by the generosity of their customers who made this gift possible.”

Blais Flowers and Garden Center is a third generation florist serving the Lewiston-Auburn area since 1953. Joseph Blais built the first greenhouse at Blais’ current location in the spring of 1953. Normand Blais expanded the greenhouse business to include a full-service flower shop, which Michael Blais has owned and operated since 1995.

For more information on AHCH, visit the Web site at www.ahch.org.