By Shawn Skager-The Courier Herald
The Daffodil Festival received a much needed influx of cash Aug. 6, accepting a $26,000 donation from the Sumner Rotary Club to help keep the 75-year-old Pierce County tradition alive.
The Sumner Rotarians presented a check for $20,000 to be used for the 2009 festival, and pledged a future donation of $6,000 to help support the Daffodil princesses selected from the Sumner School District.
According to Robyn Delorm, who was recently brought on board as a part-time fundraiser and community relationship manager for the festival, the money couldn’t come at a more opportune time for the struggling organization.
“It’s significant in a couple of ways,” Delorm said. “Not just from the cash that was donated but also because it’s an organization showing its support of the festival. This helps so we can encourage other organizations as well.
“It also shows us that there is still community support out there,” she continued. “We were wondering whether the festival had run it’s course. Now we’re seeing that people care.”
Delorm added that other organizations are already stepping up to help the cash-strapped organization.
“They’re (donations) starting to trickle in, but this is the first big one, the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “People are starting to inquire about how they can help.”
On Oct. 4, the Fit For a Cause 2 Rally For a Cause will help raise money for the festival, hosting a procession that will wind its way from South Hill to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma to raise money for the festival, as well as the Emergency Food Network and Kidstown International.
In addition, Delorm said the festival will be hosting a Halloween Party at the Fabulous Fifties Hall in Tacoma on Oct. 25.
During the last year, the nonprofit Daffodil Festival was forced to dip into its cash reserves to the tune of $50,000, to help pay the $250,000 cost of the 2008 festival and parades.
The 2009 Daffodil Festival and Parade is expected to cost the organization $300,000.
Organizers of the festival blame the current economic atmosphere for the lack of donations.
According to David Eck, president of the Sumner Rotary, the wheels began turning after he heard that the Daffodil float was not going to be able to travel to other parades this year and that the festival was in danger of not being conducted in 2009.
“We got thinking that it would be a shame if our grandchildren and other people’s grandchildren couldn’t get a chance to enjoy the parade,” Eck said. “It’s very much a part of our history and we just wanted to make sure it stayed around. It was started right here in town (Sumner).”
Eck said once he proposed the idea of donating money to the festival, the Sumner Rotarians responded quickly.
“The board thought it was a good idea,” he said.
In addition to the $20,000 donated to the festival itself, Sumner Rotary also earmarked $6,000 to be donated in October directly to the two Sumner School District princesses.
“That’s to be used for the Bonney Lake and Sumner high school princesses,” he said. “So they can buy all the things they need to.”
According to Delorm, Daffodil princesses are a big part of the festival, serving as ambassadors of Pierce County.
“The royalty program is incredible for the princesses,” Delorm, a former princess, said. “You can see them blossom from the time they are selected. They are our future leaders and I truly think that they go out into the world and serve as advocates for Pierce County. We ensure our future by investing in the youth.”
And by people investing in the festival, Delorm and others hope to ensure the future of the event.
“So many people know something about the festival,” she said. “It’s a great event and it’s one of the last things around that’s free. You can bring the family down and sit on the curb and visit with neighbors. It’s what community is all about.”
For more information or to donate to the Daffodil Festival, visit www.daffodilfestival.net.
Reach Shawn Skager at sskager@courierherald.com or 360-802-8208.
