Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Daffodil Days: Willow Glen resident Cathy McKeever, an aide in Rosann Filice's first-grade class at St. Christopher's School, helps Annie Brunello, 7, paint a vase to be given out for the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days in March. Each student worked on a vase, and the class held a special prayer service to bless the vases.
Willow Glen students enhance hopeful gifts for cancer patients
ACS' Daffodil Days fundraiser is back again for 17th time
By Kate Carter
Flower power is back. The American Cancer Society is embarking on its 17th annual Daffodil Days fundraiser, and this year it enlisted the help of some Willow Glen children to share the hope of flowers with those who suffer from the disease.
About 35 students in Rosann Filice's first-grade class at St. Christopher's School spent about an hour Jan. 15 turning blue vases into works of art, and about 19 students in Nancy Davis' third-grade classroom at Schallenberger Elementary School last week also got creative with the vases that will hold "Gifts of Hope"--bouquets of daffodils sent by anonymous donors to cancer patients throughout Santa Clara County.
Filice's class added a big red heart covered with yellow and white dots to each blue vase. She said the heart is a symbol her students can relate to and a message they can share with each cancer patient who receives the vases filled with yellow daffodils.
Each of the vases from St. Christopher's comes with an extra perk, too, she said.
"We have an added benefit at this school, that we can pray for these people," Filice said. "The vases will receive a special blessing."
Filice said she learned about the program this year from Willow Glen resident Sue Lorson, who has been involved with the society and its fundraiser for several years.
Davis, whose mother died of cancer, said this is the fourth year her classes have decorated the vases, and this year her students incorporated a patriotic theme, using ribbons, puff paints and sequins in "a tasteful look" to make the bright yellow flowers stand out.
The Gifts of Hope are only one way people can use the flowers to support the society, spokeswoman Angie Carrillo said. People can also send bouquets to friends and loved ones to support the society's efforts in cancer education, prevention, support and research--70 percent of the fundraiser proceeds go toward the society, while the rest help to cover the cost of the flowers, vases and fundraising program, she said.
Carrillo said 15 school districts in the county are participating in decorating the Gifts of Hope this year.
The fundraiser, one of the society's largest, raised more than $425,000 in Santa Clara County last year, and Carrillo said it is hoping to raise close to half a million dollars this year.
"That money comes back to the community to support the programs we have here," she said, which include transportation services, classes and support programs for cancer patients and their families.
Gifts of Hope cost $18 and other bouquets cost from $10 to $110. Bouquet orders can be placed beginning Feb. 4, and bouquet deliveries will be made the week of March 25.
To order a daffodil bouquet, call the society at 408.879.1032 and press 3. The society also needs volunteers for the fundraiser. For more information, call 408.879.1032 and press 3, or visit. www.cancer.org.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
