For years Faith Wood has been volunteering to sell Amaryllis flowers to raise money for families affected by Huntington disease (HD). For Wood, selling Amaryllis is one of the easiest ways to make her contribution to the cause that directly affects her family.
“I put an ad in my local paper every year about the kits and in that same day I sell most of the kits,” says Wood. “After someone buys an Amaryllis, they send me lots of photos of their own blooms. Then people come back every year because they love how interesting it is to watch the flower grow.”
The Amaryllis is the signature flower of the Huntington Society of Canada. Volunteers sell bulb kits to raise vital funds for programs in research, services and education. Each year, around 20,000 amaryllis bulbs bloom coast to coast, across Canada, inspiring hope of a world free of HD. Since the sales began in 1985, HSC volunteers have raised well over five million dollars through Amaryllis sales.
All Amaryllis volunteers have their own reasons for selling. “For me, selling these flowers is the best way I know to contribute to the cause,” says Wood. “So many of my relatives are affected by HD whether they have the gene or are caregivers, so I just know I need to help raise these funds for services and research.”
If you would like to help HSC reach their goal of 20,000 amaryllis bulbs blooming coast to coast across Canada, please visit www.inspirehope.ca.