Board Member Spotlight: Annie Wood

Meet Annie Wood, Hope Blooms Board Member!

We’re delighted to welcome Annie Wood to the Hope Blooms Board of Directors!

Since meeting Kelly in 2017, Annie has been a volunteer, supporter and event attendee for Hope Blooms. Annie believes in the power of community and the importance of raising her hand to create places where people can be seen, heard and feel connected.

We’re looking forward to Annie’s creativity and enthusiasm strengthening our board and are so grateful to have her join our team!

How are you involved with Hope Blooms?

I am delighted to be joining the Hope Blooms Board in 2025. After years of getting to attend events that have been hosted, volunteer a few times, and donating, I’m looking forward to sharing more of my time and energy to support the mission.

How did you first hear about Hope Blooms?

I met Kelly back in 2017 when she was going to give a TEDxFargo talk. I was on the TEDxFargo organizing team that year and I remember listening to her talk and how her joy and passion radiated throughout the crowd. From then on, I kept tabs on what Hope Blooms was doing.

Why do you choose to volunteer with Hope Blooms?

The work that Hope Blooms does to help folks know that they matter, that their presence in this world is seen, heard, and valued hits me right in the heart. I have spent many years looking for opportunities to help create the foundations in the communities I’m part of where people can find a sense of belonging and find meaningful connections. I also love the idea of being able to take something simple, like flowers, and give them an extra life to spread even more joy.

Why is giving back in your community important to you?

I’ve lived my entire adult life in Fargo, and I’ve seen the magic that happens when I put my hand up and count myself in to help create the kind of community that I want to be part of. So for me, the idea of “giving back” is rooted in this idea of helping build, helping create, and helping invite people into taking action so that together we can cultivate the kind of community where an organization like Hope Blooms can thrive, spread joy, and help all members of our community find a sense of connection.

In what ways do you see Hope Blooms bringing value to our community?

It’s no secret that the loneliness epidemic is happening right here in our community – it’s not simply a sensational newspaper headline. What I love about Hope Blooms is that the core message we’re spreading to people is “You Matter.” We’re aiming to remind people of their inherent worth as humans and that we’re so glad they’re part of our community. I have seen first-hand the power of human connection and I love that Hope Blooms is leveraging that simple act of connection into a powerful movement.

What’s your favorite way to spread joy and kindness?

I love greeting cards! For me, there’s nothing more fun than sending and receiving snail mail. So I stock up on cute greeting cards, cards from local makers, and even sometimes make my own so that I can write a message to a friend and drop it in the mail.

Name one of the most joyful moments in your life.

One summer, I was in Banff National Park right around the summer solstice, so the nights were short and the days were long. On my last morning visiting, I decided to get up before 4am and do one last waterfall hike before catching my shuttle back to the Calgary Airport. I was filled with so much joy and gratitude for the life that I get to live – one full of friends, of adventures, and of purpose – as I trekked through nature with the rising sun and got to watch the morning light spill over the mountains. The older I get, the more I realize that joyful moments can be moments of peace and stillness just as much as joy fills our celebrations and moments together.

What is your favorite flower and why?

I love daffodils. I love when they start peeking up from the ground in the spring, signaling that warmer days are ahead. To me, they’re a flower that I can’t look at and not instantly be happy! Also, it’s always stuck with me that in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” that Willy Wonka uses one like a tea cup and saucer 🙂

Share a little about yourself and your family.