BRIGHT SPOT VENTURES BEGINS POINSETTIA SALE ON DEC 1 AT DHSS GREENHOUSE; EVENT SUPPORTS YOUNG PEOPLE AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 25, 2014) - Through a partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services, West End Neighborhood House's program to support young people aging out of foster care has turned the DHSS Greenhouse into a beautiful sea of red, pink and white poinsettias for sale this holiday season.

Bright Spot Ventures, which employs, empowers and equips young people, has grown more than 2,000 poinsettias in the DHSS Greenhouse on the Herman Holloway Campus near New Castle. The sale begins Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 23.

Available in red, white or pink, the 6.5-inch pots have to four to six blooms ($7.95 each, including pot cover and sleeve). In addition to the traditional colors, the greenhouse also offers poinsettias in burgundy, sparkle and marble.

"This is a great way to celebrate the holidays and to support employment opportunities for young people as they learn about horticulture and business," DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf said. "We are so appreciative of our partnership with Bright Spot Ventures, and the difference this program is making in our community."

Orders of 25 or more plants are delivered for no additional charge to one location in New Castle County. Smaller orders can be picked up at the greenhouse, 1901 N. DuPont Highway (U.S. 13) on the Herman Holloway Campus. Follow the signs for the greenhouse, which is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To order, call West End at (302) 888-5308, or the greenhouse at 302-255-2993. Or email your order to helpkidsgrow@westendnh.org

Photos of the poinsettias are available for use and can be downloaded from DHSS' flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/deldhss/sets/72157649047439937/

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.