Connie Beranek, the local and long time volunteer for the Daffodil Campaign, is hosting a an informal gathering the Sparwood Public Library to honor the Canadian Cancer Society's Annual Daffodil Day, and those affected by the disease. The event will take place on Friday, April 27th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m and be open to all Elk Valley residents.
With the success of the recent live daffodil campaign and the continuing sales of the Daffodil pin, Miss Beranek is looking for some sort of closure to this year's campaign. "I'm not really certain what it's going to look like, or how formal it is going to be but I thought I would try something new this year," she says. "People keep asking me what is happening on April 27th with it being advertised as the a National Day of Remembrance and in the past Sparwood has not really hosted anything. So, this year I will start small and see what interest there is in people gathering to commemorate it."
The event will be held in the meeting room at the Sparwood Public Library and is open to anyone who's life has been touched by the battle with cancer. "It will give people the opportunity to share and perhaps come up with concrete dialogues on how to support friends and neighbours in Sparwood," says Beranek. As well, Ms. Beranek has indicated she thought the afternoon might also offer an opportunity to those wanting to send their support to those who would be participating in the upcoming Relay for Life in Fernie. "The date for the Relay is in conflict with Coalminer's Days, but for those wanting to stay in Sparwood but still offer their support this might be the perfect opportunity. I thought if some people wanted to create a banner, or have another idea, the gathering might be the place to get others involved, she says."
The Public Library is open on Friday afternoons, and the gathering will start just before the Library closes for the day. The meeting room will remain open and welcoming visitors until 6:00 p.m. At this time, the plan is to have an official 'daffodil laying' as a way to close off the Daffodil campaign for 2012 and look ahead to a year full of life. Beranek has mentioned that every year the campaign has grown, and she is touched by all the business and individual donations from the people of Sparwood. Though the position is volunteer and often time-consuming when she sees the results she is convinced it is all worth it. "Cancer can be a lonely and frightening place for everyone involved, and hope is what makes easier," she says. She hopes everyone will feel welcome to come out, and anyone wanting to contribute to the afternoon in any way is invited to contact Connie at connieberanek@gmail.com, or call her at home at 250 425 6597.