Lisa Kostelnik
PITTSBURGH, PA (PTTP) – In light of Valentine’s Day, Lisa Kostelnik, owner of Burn Boot Camp in Wexford, gathers the Pittsburgh community to assemble hundreds of flower bouquets for both widows and widowers. Influenced by three women, all dedicated members of her gyms, Kostelnik is deeply connected to the cause. These women lost their husbands in 2021, just months apart. Meanwhile in North Carolina, her older sister and florist, Ashley Manning, also sympathized with a widow she knew personally, encouraging her to begin the The Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project. Finding purpose in her sister’s idea, Kostelnik decided to start her own Pittsburgh branch.
What started with 11 handmade bouquets in her kitchen, sprouted into Kostelnik organizing an entire team of volunteers assembling and delivering flowers out of larger locations.
However, she still makes sure she hand delivers some bouquets herself. Last year she fought Pittsburgh’s bitter cold to personally transport flowers until 11:30 p.m. with her biggest supporter, her 12-year-old daughter, right by her side.
To sign up to volunteer or donate to the flower project, visit The Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project’s Website.