Freeman Scholars Sell Daffodils for Cancer
Reported February 25, 2009
Although its been two weeks since Valentines Day, members of the University community still found an occasion to send flowers to a loved oneand all for a good cause.
Over the past few weeks, students have purchased bouquets of daffodils to send to friends and family through the Daffodil Days program. The flower sales proceeds all go to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The program, which is run through the ACS at a national level and the Office of Community Service and Volunteerism on campus, has been a springtime institution on campus for the past ten years.
The response has been pretty good so far, even though the flowers are being delivered during spring break this year, said Maria Timbancaya 10, the current student coordinator of Daffodil Days. And its not just students that have been responding, but many members of faculty and staff too
She noted that the daffodils are the focal point of this program because they are the first flowers of spring, representing hope for a future where cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease.
Timbancaya first learned of the project two years ago, when she was looking for community service projects that the Freeman Asian Scholars Association could take on.
We felt that we wanted to be more than just scholars, and give back to a community that has given so much to us, Timbancaya said. Daffodil Days seemed like the perfect project for us.
Many of the Freeman scholars involved in the project echo Timbancayas sentiments.
When I first heard about the program, and how much it raised last year, I was so surprised and touched by the amount of effort, time and money the Wesleyan community was willing to put into this initiative, said Aunchisa Tapanakornvut 12. In Thailand, where I come from, you learn that every dollar can help, and that it can go a very long way. So I thought that I would join in the effort and hopefully, help to raise even more funds.
Isabelle Martinez 12, another Freeman scholar, found the program particularly unique, and was impressed by the programs success in past years.
On average, the University raises between $800 and $1,500 a year for the initiative, according to Director for Community Service and Volunteerism Catherine Lechowicz. So far, Daffodil Days volunteers on campus have collected $1,055.
Although the program is closely linked to the Freeman Asian Scholars Association, Timbancaya notes that non-Freeman affiliated students have also been proactive in volunteering.
Weve had a number of students approach our table and immediately offer to help us in any way, because theyve been affected by cancer in some way, or simply because they want to support the cause she said. Its been very heartening.
The flowers will be delivered to the Office of Community Service and Volunteerism between March 16 and 19. Once the flowers reach campus, volunteers deliver the orders to faculty and staff, while students often pick up and deliver their own orders.
Although Daffodil Days stopped taking orders at Usdan on February 25, orders can still be made if donors are willing to pay upfront. Donations must be made through a coordinator, so those hoping to place orders should contact Timbancaya or process them through the ACS website under Timbancayas name. The final opportunity for donations ends on March 2.