Community Turns Out To Help Broken Arrow's 'A New Leaf'

The community has stepped in - in a big way - to help A New Leaf, Inc. after vandals did thousands of dollars in damages to the nursery. Businesses and individuals have donated new stock to replace the plants destroyed when vandals literally turned over work tables and ripped flowers out of pots.

It hit the people who work there hard.

"I felt devastated," said employee Andrew Presley. "Oh, no, we're going to be robbed some more."

Though one set of strangers crept in to cause damage, another group of strangers came forward bringing kindness.

"Of course it bothered us - we were devastated and our clients were devastated," said Mary Ogle, A New Leaf CEO. "But I was sort of shocked that the community would be devastated."

Other floral companies have donated plants and other supplies to help the business rebuild. Every day new people stop by.

"Maybe people will start having discussions about people with developmental disabilities and see how awesome they are," Ogle said. "They want to work just like you and I."

6/2/2017 Related Story: Vandals Damage 'A New Leaf' Non-Profit In Broken Arrow

The vandals caused about $25,000 worth of inventory to wither away. Thanks to multiple donations from area floral companies, A New Leaf is blooming again.

"We're going to make it and still be in business," Andrew Presley said.

Empty benches will soon be filled with new flowers and more are on the way. Donated lumber will be used to replace damaged benches. As support pours in, hope grows.

"I appreciate that, and I think you guys are a blessing to us," Andrew said.

A New Leaf still needs your help. All the flowers that were donated will be at the business Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and employees are asking you to come out and shop to help them re-coup some of what they lost.

So far, there have been no arrests.

Blaze Pizza is hosting a fundraising event Monday for a Broken Arrow nonprofit garden center for that provides vocational training for adults with developmental disabilities. 

Stop by Blaze Pizza, located at 3722 S. Peoria Ave., on June 5 between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m. to eat and 20 percent of the proceeds will go to A New Leaf. 

Bring the flyer in with you or show it on your phone before paying. 

The flyer can be found on A New Leaf's Facebook page.

A New Leaf, Inc. Donation Page

GoFundMe page for A New Leaf, Inc.