For 28 years Valerie Nabb has been volunteering to sell Amaryllis flowers to raise money for families affected by Huntington disease (HD). For the past 5 years she has been the one in charge of organizing their local Ottawa Chapter’s orders and distributing them. For Nabb, selling Amaryllis is one of the easiest ways to make her contribution to the cause that directly affects her family.
“The flowers are very easy to sell,” says Nabb. “Sometimes it is hard to just ask people for money, but when you are giving them a beautiful flower in return it is easy. The Amaryllis sells itself!”
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 and ways to sell the bulbs. “For me, selling is habit now. It is my primary commitment to HSC. But more than that, I am a gardener so the flower itself is my favourite part. Amaryllis gives me a chance to garden in the fall and winter!” says Nabb. “It is also a super convenient gift for Christmas. I give a kit to everyone close to me – my neighbours, hairdresser, book club and relatives.”
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.