While flowers may be the last thing on your mind when you look out the window and see all that snow, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind is hoping people will get into the mood to buy a new crocus plant in the next few weeks.
The CNIB once again is selling purple imported Dutch crocus plants for its “Focus on Crocus” fundraising campaign, and the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau has begun taking orders in anticipation of them being delivered here during the first week of February.
“We’ve already started sending out faxes to all the businesses in the area so they could pre-order,” said executive director Vanessa Hebert.
“If you don’t receive a fax, call us anyway,” she added. “It’s preferable you pre-order because by the time we get the crocuses in [during] the week of Feb. 2, there might not be any left.”^Hebert noted 400 pots, each holding five-six imported Dutch crocus bulbs, are scheduled to be delivered here, at which time they will be available for pick-up and walk-in sales—while supplies last— at the volunteer bureau, which is located in the old CN station.
Hebert would prefer to receive all pre-orders by Jan. 28 in order to be sure she’s ordered enough—or see if there’s a need to order any extras.
The cost is $4 per pot or three for $10. People can pay by cash or a cheque made out to the CNIB (cheques are the preferred method of payment), said Hebert).
Orders can be placed by calling 274-9555 or by fax at 274-5456.
Hebert said she was expecting the CNIB’s fundraiser to be another success. Last year saw about 420 crocus plants sold here.
She added the volunteer bureau also will be selling other specialty items from the CNIB, such as note cards and painted wooden and metal pots, early next month.
Last year, the “Focus on Crocus” campaign generated $16,000 to support local services to the roughly 1,350 visually-impaired residents in Northwestern Ontario.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
