Akron, NY – Family and friends of Ciera Schwartz will gather on Saturday, June 18 to complete some unfinished business. Ciera, who lived on her family’s farm, dreamed of a field of sunflowers surrounding the property. She was not able to make that dream come true before her tragic death last October, but it is about to become a reality.
The property is located at 7605 Tesnow Road, Akron, and the event will be 12-2 pm. There will also be an opportunity to paint rocks to be used to build a rock garden that day.
Ciera’s family & friends founded a non-profit, Sunflowers for Ciera, and this sunflower planting will be the first of several activities for the nonprofit in 2022.
“I never thought I would learn so much about sunflowers”, said Lisa Schwartz, Ciera’s mom. “Ever since we started planning this event, sunflower seeds have been arriving at my house in all different colors from across the United States and even Spain. There is even a sunflower with a heart-shaped center.”
Sunflowers can provide energy in the form of nourishment and vibrancy. These are attributes that mirror the sun and the energy provided by its heat and light. Sunflowers are known for being “happy” flowers, and because of the myth of Clytie and Apollo, the sunflower most commonly means adoration and loyalty.
“Our family and Ciera’s friends are really looking forward to bringing her joy back to our farm,” says Ms. Schwartz. “It has been a long fall and winter, and the thought of planting these seeds and watching them grow this summer just brings a smile to our faces.”
Sunflowers for Ciera was established in November 2021. The group has already held a successful fundraiser, raffling off a herd share and recently 24 care packages were donated to Haven House. There is a car show planned for July 24, and SFC is sponsoring a team in the Buffalo Out of the Darkness walk in September. A bowling tournament is being planned for the Bills bye week in October.
Mission Statement of Sunflowers for Ciera: Ciera lived like a sunflower, symbolizing its universal power to bring joy to people. It is our mission to advocate for young men & women who have had their light diminished through unhealthy relationships and provide both education and resources to recognize and empower them to overcome.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @sunflowersforciera.
