Duane Hicks
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual beautification program, “Project Petunia.”
But if the program is to continue, it will need more sponsors.
Chamber manager Annely Armstrong said she’s asking individuals and businesses to sponsor the program, which supplies flowers for basket and planters seen in the community.
Each year, the Chamber hangs baskets to brighten up the stretch of King’s Highway from Tim Hortons to Central Avenue, as well as up Central Avenue to the old tourist information centre and in the “gateway” area of town on Church Street and Mowat Avenue.
Armstrong said 50 flower baskets and 18 planters are on order from Loewen Greenhouses, but sponsorships are needed to help pay for them.
“All told, you’re looking at about $3,500, and the last two years the Chamber had to pay most of that,” she noted.
“Really, we’re looking at this year as kind of like the last year,” Armstrong added.
“Hopefully, we can get enough support from the community because we really can’t continue to pay for that,” she stressed.
“We need to find the sponsors—it would be really sad to see it go,” said Armstrong.
“I don’t want it to be one of those things when it disappears and then people go, ‘Hey, now it’s important.’”
Armstrong said there’s a popular misconception—which she herself used to believe before becoming Chamber manager—that the town provides the flowers.
In truth, it is the Chamber and the BIA that pay for them, the latter of which provides flower baskets on the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Scott Street.
The town is doing its part, however, and once again has agreed to water the flowers free of charge.
Armstrong said the Chamber truly appreciates the continued help from the town, especially given the tough budget year it has had.
The Chamber is looking for sponsorships in any dollar amount.
Different levels of sponsorship include:
•Daisy—$50;
•Sunflower—$100;
•Tulip—$150;
•Lily—$200; and
•Rose—$250 donation
All sponsors will be recognized for their donation.
To help keep “Project Petunia” alive, contact Armstrong at 274-5773 or via e-mail at thefort@fortfranceschamber.com
You also can drop by the Chamber office above the Northern Lights Credit Union.
