Patty Potts, a nurse as the Ross Heart Hospital and member of OSUNO – the ONA local unit at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center – and her partner Rodney Rupp, also a nurse at the Ross, are using their green thumbs to raise money for charity.

For years, Patty and Rodney grew plants in their personal greenhouse – plants that rival anything you’d see at local home improvement stores and nurseries – and gave them away to friends and co-workers come springtime. People became so impressed with Patty and Rodney’s plants that they suggested they start selling them. The couple didn’t think about making money off them – they just enjoyed the hobby. Then the idea came about to sell the plants for just a $1, with all of the proceeds going to charity. The annual Ross Plant Sale was born!

Now each year, Patty and Rodney, with the help of coworker Trudi Souslin, host the plant sale outside the Ross Heart Hospital. Over 3,000 tomato and pepper plants, plus handing baskets and flats of flowers, were sold during this year’s plant sale, raising over $6,000 for the American Heart Association (AHA) and the local Heart Walk that they, and other OSUNO nurses, participate in every year.

Patty is a 25-year cardiac nurse, making the AHA the perfect charitable fit.

OSUNO member with Patty Potts (right)

 

OSUNO Member with Trudi Souslin (left)

 

The Ross Plant Sale Benefiting the American Heart Association

Plant Sale Volunteers