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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 4, 2014 | 8 Daffodil Days campaign changing with the times continued from p.1 Sharie Mulkewich, regional director with the CCS Central West Ontario Region, said it's part of the Ontario Division's decision to phase out the sale of live flowers by volunteers and through CCS offices. The move took root three years ago when the daffodil pins were introduced, she said. Last year, the sale of fresh flowers was discontinued in southwestern Ontario as well as in Toronto and London, Ont. "When you look at infrastructure costs versus net, we decided we could probably do better if we just stuck to the (daffodil) pins," she said, noting that working with a grower in British Columbia and shipping the flowers to Ontario came with a price tag. Mulkewich said the deal CCS struck with Loblaw Companies Limited allows the CCS to be more "cost efficient." Annette Power, director of communications for CCS' Ontario Division, said the new partnership provides fresh flowers in a more formal way across the province and expands its reach. Power said the Ontario Division noticed a decline in the demand for and revenue from daffodil sales over the years, but said the Loblaw deal allows it to continue providing fresh flowers to the supporters who want them without additional cost. "I know that for Burlington stores and Oakville stores, it's harder because there aren't as many Loblaw (locations) in those communities, but this is the first time we're partnering with Loblaw and this is the first step this year. Next year, we're hoping to expand this program," she said. Power noted the shift is also saving the CCS "quite a lot of money because we're no longer in the business of working with a grower and we're no longer having to worry about the shipping. "We've partnered with Loblaw (grocery stores) who already has the infrastructure to do this and do it well. They want to support a great cause like ours, so we are working together to try to make it easier for people, who want to get fresh flowers, to get them," she said. Overall, the new approach does not require the same resources from the CCS for its signature fundraiser. Mulkewich admitted it is an organizational shift that will take time for people to adjust to, but she's confident in its success. "Some of the volunteers really enjoyed selling them and so they can still sell pins and help out in other ways, but, yes, some volunteers have expressed they're going to miss them," she said. Joan Gibb, who has been a CCS volunteer in both Québec and Ontario for more than 45 years, is among those who are disappointed by the change. The Oakville resident, who mobilized the Halton community to start selling the flowers more than 30 years ago, said it's been a successful campaign in the community that everyone looks forward to after a long winter. "The fresh flowers are so iconic," she said, noting how many people within the community have been asking her why she isn't selling them this year. "It's the flower of hope." Gibb said while she understands the CCS' need to have a balanced budget, she's unclear why such a successful tradition in Halton has come to a halt. Martin Kabat, CEO for the CCS in Ontario, will be at the CCS' Halton office April 10 to explain the new direction of the Daffodil Days. Gibb said she'll be there asking questions as she remains passionate about volunteering. Sheryl Bates, who volunteers with CCS' Halton Unit, said she realizes the organization is changing and using other creative ways to garner support and awareness. She noted a number of ways CCS is ramping up support, including the use of social media like Twitter to promote the daffodil pins. "The reason I volunteer has not changed," she said. "I believe in our mission and enjoy everything that I do for the organization. Whether I sell flowers, sell pins, promote all of our fundraising events, answer the phone, input donor receipts, whatever is needed to be done, it is all to help in the fight against cancer." In Ontario, CCS raised $1.1 million in pin sales last year. It hopes to raise $1.5 million in 2014. Oakville resident and long-time Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) volunteer Joan Gibb with fresh daffodils during a past Daffodil Days campaign. The CCS has opted for daffodil pin sales and discontinued fresh flower sales across Ontario except through Loblaw group companies. | Oakville Beaver file photo ARRIVING DAILY! 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