Friendship Day to be held on Sept. 11

Friendship Day 2013 is set for Wednesday, Sept. 11.

The event, which is being sponsored by Eitel's Florist, Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, Asbury Towers Retirement Community, At Home Realty LLC, Bittles & Hurt/Hopkins-Rector Funeral Homes, First National Bank, Ivy Tech Community College, MetroNet and Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, is intended to spread friendship, goodwill and community spirit among Putnam County citizens.

Approximately 11,000 roses will be given away in dozens with one stipulation, that those who pick up the roses, keep only one for themselves to enjoy and give the 11 other roses to 11 other people.

The sponsors of this event are once again requesting that when picking up free dozen roses, participants drop off a canned food item so that it may be donated to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry.

"This is just one more way, that we can make a difference for our neighbors," said Tammy Johnson, executive director of the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce. "If you are unable to bring a canned good, you can still get a dozen roses to pass out to friends, relatives, co-workers or even total strangers."

The roses will be available at most of the sponsor locations starting at 8 a.m. on Sept. 11. Each year the roses go faster, so the sponsors want to remind everyone to come as early as possible, before they are all gone.