Daffodil Project wraps up for the season

By Gillian Slade on October 17, 2017.

Medicine Hat News

The last of the 15,000 bulbs for the Daffodil Project were planted on Saturday bringing the total planted in the past three years to 55,000.

It is all about community-minded volunteers understanding the importance of the project that adds colour to the Trans-Canada Highway, said Glen Motz, MP for Medicine Hat, who was also on site planting bulbs Saturday.

“To be part of this is awesome,” said Motz.

Participating in The Daffodil Project is easy and includes spending time outside and meeting new people, said Maureen Roberts, a candidate in the municipal election, who helped at each of the three planting days this fall.

“It is not always about your financial contribution — time counts as well,” said Roberts.

Dave DeLonga brought his grandchildren, Sophia and Joshua Holmes, with him on Saturday and they all got stuck in.

“This is a really good example of what civic involvement can do,” said DeLonga of the project.

“I bet it’s gonna look nice,” said Joshua Holmes.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them in the spring,” added Sophia Holmes.

Members of staff from the Cypress-Medicine Hat constituency office for MLADrew Barnes volunteered to plant bulbs as soon as they heard the locations announced this summer. On Saturday the bulbs were planted in the green area next to Adapt Mobility just down the road from the constituency office.

This year, the third planting season, 10,000 bulbs were planted in front of the Medicine Hat College sign that can be seen from the highway. In the grassy area next to Humpty’s Restaurant and the Shell gas station 2,500 bulbs were planted on Sept. 30 as a test site. Last Saturday’s 2,500 bulbs were also in a test location. Depending on results when the daffodils bloom next spring both of these locations could accommodate many more bulbs in future planting seasons.

Every planting season so far groups of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have played a significant role.

Elder Bazzell said he has been impressed by how the community comes together on this project. Elder Harrison called it “fun” and said he loves “helping people”.

It is all about helping to make the environment look better, said Elder Shmidt.

Struck by how well organized everything was, Sister Smith considered it service to the community.

“Everyone benefits from seeing the beautiful flowers,” said Smith. “Way to go.”

“I like the idea of planting for the community. A little work for everyone to enjoy the result,” said Sister Caldwell.

Sister Ziegner, from Germany, who has been in Medicine Hat for the last month, expressed excitement at being involved.

The Daffodil Project has a goal of seeing a million bulbs planted by 2025 along the Trans-Canada Highway from Redcliff to Dunmore, about 10 kilometres. The purpose is simply to beautify the environment each spring.

The project depends on donations for purchasing bulbs and every cent donated is used for bulbs. A donation of $150 buys about 700 bulbs. There has been tremendous support from local businesses who have donated the use of equipment and items needed to facilitate planting. A big thank-you to Grand Rental Station, A+PLUS Equipment Rentals, and Peavey Mart. Niwa Crane Ltd. has taken delivery of the bulbs, stored them and provided transport to the planting site.

Donations for bulbs can be made through the project’s trust account at ATB Financial, account number 07329-00410789600. Email a copy of your bank deposit slip for acknowledgment of the donation with your name recorded on the website. A donation can also be made in memory of a loved one.

For more information, contact the Daffodil Project’s chair, Gillian Slade, 403-528-8635, email hatdaffodils@gmail.com, or visit medhatdaffodils.wordpress.com where you can see a range of photographs taken throughout the planting season.

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