June 3, 2021 · 0 Comments
By Sam Odrowski
The Lord Dufferin IODE’s 26th Annual Geranium Fundraiser was a major success, quickly selling out of all 4,000 plants, and raising a total of roughly $7,000.
The 10 and 10 Garden Centre in Mono was busy for May 27, 28 and 29, with those that pre-ordered the plants heading over to pick them up during the three days.
With COVID-19 making it difficult to fundraise, the geranium sale provides a much-needed financial boost to the hard-working ladies at Lord Dufferin IODE, who support a variety of charitable causes throughout the year with the revenue they generate.
“We’d just to thank everybody in the community that buys geraniums from us, our loyal customers that have been around for years and years, as well as all the new customers that want to support our organization,” said Jessica Cerveny, Lord Dufferin IODE vice president. “Just a million thank yous to them.”
Cerveny told the Free Press that the organization was fully sold out of geraniums one month prior to the event and were blown away by how quickly the community stepped up to support the fundraiser.
The money raised this year helps to support the local library, Orangeville Food Bank, Headwaters Health Care Centre, student bursaries, Salvation Army and Family Transition Place. The Lord Dufferin IODE also uses the money it fundraises to send kids to summer camp who otherwise wouldn’t have the finances to attend.
Cerveny noted that the 10 and 10 Garden Centre was a great community partner for the geranium sale and the Lord Dufferin IODE plans to host their sale there again for next year.
“They have been so accommodating and kind, and willing to do whatever we need done,” she lauded. “They’re just really supporting our cause as well, so that’s huge.”
Looking ahead to next year, Cerveny told the Free Press that the Lord Dufferin IODE is hoping to plant more geraniums, to avoid selling out so fast.
To learn more about the Lord Dufferin IODE and stay up to date, visit their Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/IODE-Lord-Dufferin-Chapter-340043872862170/