Campaign of hope begins

Ken Johnston

As April approaches a sure sign of spring is now available in area stores.
The annual Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil drive is now underway.
Rainy River Cancer Society volunteer Laurene “Buddy” Hannam is busy helping coordinate the fund raising activity in the west end of the district.
As the daffodil symbolizes hope for a wonderful and early spring, so does it symbolize hope for cancer patients that a cure will be found for the dreadful disease. This year the official slogan is “Hope. More than daffodils are blooming this April.”
Sign up sheets for orders are now in businesses in Rainy River, the Morson area, Stratton, Barwick and Nestor Falls. That is the area that the Rainy River Cancer Society members look after. “Fortunately I have a person in each place to help out,” said a grateful Hannam.
Last year they ordered 200 bunches of daffodils. This year they are increasing that amount by 25% to 250. The cost of each bunch is $6, which means if they are all sold the local effort will raise about $1,500 for the fight against cancer.
“They usually go pretty fast,” said Hannam, who encourages people to sign up as as soon as possible. The flowers will come in and be delivered on March 30th. “Be sure to include your address so we can deliver them,” she added. Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary members will be helping the cancer society deliver them.
Following the daffodil drive a group of volunteers has also agreed to go door to door canvassing for donations. However, they are in need of more volunteers. Anyone interested can call Buddy at 852-3573.
Hannam noted that all money raised locally stays in the region. Donations are tax deductible.