Goodwill Blooms, Courtesy of Florist

Jalaine Burndahl stopped by a local flower shop Wednesday morning for a dozen pink roses on her way to a nearby hospice.

“I’m a volunteer at a hospice for the terminally ill,” said Burndahl, 20. “I’m going over there to tell them, ‘I love you, I’m thinking of you, and here’s a flower--a ray of sunshine to brighten your day.’ ”

Burndahl was one of hundreds of people in Orange County who picked up free roses to distribute to others as part of Good Neighbor Day, created by a florist in Mississippi two years ago. Florists across the nation participated this year.

At Expressions Florist in Placentia, owners Linda and John Vandenbush explained that giving away roses by the dozen carries one condition: Each recipient has to agree to pass along 11 of them to others.

“We’re promoting goodwill, something that people forget about but need,” Linda Vandenbush said.

“You can keep one but you have to promise to give away the rest,” Vandenbush told Brian Shoda, a 21-year-old Cal State Fullerton student who was on his way to class when he heard about the flower giveaway on the radio.

Shoda promised, saying one rose will go to a friend.

Other recipients said they would give their roses to spouses, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Jeff DiPaolo, 23, of Yorba Linda said he was going to pass out his roses on the bus. His friend Sylvia Dominguez, 46, of Orange said she would share with residents who live with her in a group home in Orange. Shellie Mumma, 24, of Placentia said her clients at a local beauty salon would get roses from her. Elizabeth Rose, 74, of Placentia said she was on her way to pass out her freebies at the city library.

“This is really, really neat,” said Shannon Madler, 27, of Yorba Linda, another rose recipient. “People need a little cheer in their lives and this is lifting spirits and making everybody happy.”