CANCER SOCIETY LAUNCHES ANNUAL DAFFODIL DAYS

The American Cancer Society will bring the first touch of spring to the area with its annual Daffodil Days festival.

Volunteers will bring this first spring flower to Cape Girardeau and Jackson residents to raise funds for cancer research, education and patient service programs.

Karen Green, Daffodil Days chairman, said thousands of daffodils will be shipped to Cape Girardeau for the festival.

"The daffodil, as the first flower of spring, was chosen because it symbolizes hope and renewed life," she said.

Daffodil orders will be accepted through March 12 and delivered March 19. The donation for an order of 500 is $250, for 250 blooms, $125, and $35 will buy two bouquets.

On March 19, the flowers also will be available for sale in smaller quantities at Chateau Girardeau and Cape and Jackson Wal-Mart stores.

Businesses and employers are encouraged to make advance orders for distribution to their employees or as gifts to hospitals and nursing homes.

"Most of the money we raise comes from corporations and businesses," Green said. "Daffodils make great gifts, and our volunteers deliver the flowers locally."

For more information or advance sales, contact Green at Mercantile Bank, 334-0521.