KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Thursday, the Pat Summitt Foundation kicked off this year's Pansy Project. As part of the project, people can buy orange and purple pansies and plant them around Knoxville.
The flowers are meant to be a symbol of support for people affected by Alzheimer's disease. Money made from the flowers is donated to the Pat Summitt Foundation.
By decorating Knoxville in orange and purpose flowers, the foundation hopes to help the community remember the impact made by legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt. She passed away in 2016 after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
The foundation said her legacy continues to motivate and empower people, and the flowers can be a way for people to bring awareness to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
"The Pansy Project has become a special tradition throughout Knoxville, and this year is a bittersweet event as we also remember the life of Lisa Stanley who ensured the Pansy Project was a success year after year," said Morgan Vance, the director of advancement for the Pat Summitt Foundation.
Anyone who wants to buy pansies can stop by Stanley's Greenhouse at 3029 Davenport Road in South Knoxville.