On Wednesday, Sept. 11, Glendale florist Judy Haenel resumes her tradition of giving away thousands of free flowers, after it was paused for a couple of years.

Free flowers will be distributed by The Tulip Tree in bunches of a dozen on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11 and will continue until supplies are exhausted. The Tulip Tree is at 5933 W. Bell Road, Glendale - the southwest corner of 59th Avenue and Bell Road.

In the past roses were distributed. With roses now less available, sunflowers and carnations will be the free flowers distributed.

“This year is the 29th anniversary of Pass It On Day and 23 years since 9/11. After the attacks in 2001, we designated Pass it on Day as our official annual commemoration of the people and events of 9/11, and turned it into a celebration of being good neighbors and community members,” the native of New Orleans said,

The giveaway came about as an observance in September by Haenel, her employees, and a committee of volunteers.

“For a number of years, Pass It On Day was our way of putting the ‘unity’ back in community. After the events of September 11, 2001, we decided that for us every September 11 - no matter what day of the week it falls on - would be the day to remember the truly important events and people in life. We glad to bring it back more like it used to be. Pass It On Day is an opportunity to do something positive to lift people’s spirits,” Haenel said.

Haenel, the owner of The Tulip Tree, estimates that by the end of the day at least 2,000 sunflowers and carnations will have been distributed free.

“We invite people 18 and older to come to the shop, and pick up a dozen flowers apiece. Each person is asked to keep one flower, and pass along the other eleven to friends, neighbors, co-workers, or whoever they want to honor or thank with a flower. It’s a no strings attached arrangement and everybody’s on the honor system," Haenel said.

The cost of Pass It On Day is covered by Haenel and The Tulip Tree as a way to give members of the community a way to remember and reach out to each other, she said.

 For information, call Haenel at 602-978-3097.