Vernon Hills firm uses blooms to support cancer fight

The bright-pink floral display in front of the James Martin Associates headquarters in Vernon Hills certainly is eye-catching - and really, that's the point.

Set on the south side of Route 45, just west of Ranney Avenue, the large composition consists of 1,200 begonias arranged around a 4-foot-high metal sculpture of a pink ribbon. It's a living representation of the landscape architectural firm's support for charities that fight against cancer, especially breast cancer.

"We felt it was something that might serve a greater purpose than just putting (regular) flowers in front of our property," owner Jim Martin said.

The display resonates with Martin and other employees who've lost relatives, friends and co-workers to the disease. In fact, it was employees who came up with the idea.

"Quite a few of our employees have had experience with that," said Pat Julien, a marketing associate with Martin Associates.

The firm has planted pink flowers of different varieties along Route 45 for the last seven years. The idea started as part of the Susan G. Komen Foundation's "Plant for the Cure" effort, in which the company encouraged its clients to plant pink tulips, impatiens, geraniums or day lilies.

"That was really the kickoff," Martin said.

The flowers generally bloom in June and thrive until the first fall frost. Pink tulip and daffodil bulbs will be planted this fall at the site for some early spring color.

The metallic ribbon is up all year.

The display does attract attention from the thousands of motorists who use Route 45 each day.

Drivers have been known to stop and photograph the flowers. Others have pulled into the Martin Associates parking lot and then shared their own cancer stories with employees, Julien said.

The company's charitable efforts don't stop with the pink flowers. Through the years, Martin Associates has supported the Komen foundation and the American Cancer Society in several ways, including sponsoring and participating in local fundraising walks, Julien said.

The company supports other charities, too, she said.

"We do have a charitable focus," Julien said. "We do like to support the organizations our clients and our employees are involved (with)."

The firm's staff appreciates the gestures.

"Every year, year after year, the company has recognized cancer as something that really affects everybody," said Martin Associates Vice President Shari Dalziel, who lost both of her parents to cancer. "And our customers (also) appreciate that we support the cancer society and other organizations."