Daffodil Days coming up

The daffodil is the official emblem of the Canadian Cancer Society and the society’s symbol of hope. Every year volunteers sell and deliver the cheery yellow flowers, and in 2009 daffodil sales raised $2.9 million in Ontario for the fight against cancer.

In the article “History of Daffodil Days”, which we published on March 4, there was a typo (our error) in the name of the Canadian Cancer Society volunteer who headed the team that planned the first Daffodil campaign in Toronto in the 1950s. The volunteer’s name was Fran Shannon, and it turns out that she was born in Plevna. Fran was the daughter of Hubert and Maude Elkington, and sister of Reginald and Helena. She was a teacher and taught in Northbrook before going to Toronto at a young age. She worked tirelessly on the Daffodil Days Campaign there for many years.

The 2010 Daffodil Days Campaign starts on March 23. The daffodils will be on sale at the Sharbot Lake Freshmart on Saturday March 27 and the price is $7 per bundle or 2 for $12. This year Sharon Desroche will head up the local campaign. Norma Granlund, who was the coordinator of the campaign for many years, will be taking a much-needed breather from being the leader, but will still be helping out. Sharon has a niece and brother with cancer, so when Norma asked Sharon whether she would take over the coordinator’s position, she immediately said yes.

Anyone who would like more information or would like to order daffodils should call Sharon at 613-279-2342.