From grief to giving: Perth florist hosts daffodil fundraiser for local hospital in friend’s memory

What began as a simple idea to sell a few dozen spring flowers for a good cause has grown into a deeply personal and impactful fundraiser for the Perth & Smith Falls District Hospital Foundation (PSFDHF), one rooted in remembrance, resilience and hope.

As previously reported, the annual Daffodil Fundraiser aims to helps ensure patients can access critical treatments close to home. According to the PSFDHF, proceeds from the campaign will directly support the Medical Day Unit at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, specifically by funding essential equipment used in patient care.

For Krista Mackler, owner of Kelly’s Flowers & Gift Boutique in Perth, the annual daffodil campaign is about far more than offering the community a timeless spring flower, it’s about honouring a dear friend’s legacy while helping support others facing cancer in the local community.

Mackler’s close friend and colleague, Trisha Allinote—who worked alongside her as a floral designer—was diagnosed with cancer and passed away just before her 30th birthday. The florist shared that her friend often spoke about wanting to be part of the cure, and years later, Mackler continues to work towards that goal on her friend’s behalf.

Mackler explained that the daffodil initiative actually dates back to 2016, when she was approached by a local organizer with the Canadian Cancer Society during Daffodil Month. The original goal was simple: sell 60 pots of daffodils to help support cancer research.

“We just thought ‘let’s try it and see what happens,’” Mackler told Lanarkist. What followed was steady growth year after year as the local fundraiser continued to evolve.

After the local Cancer Society was gone, I didn’t want to see it end because people really enjoyed it,” shared Mackler. “I thought there’s got to be a way to keep this going…I had heard about that new unit opening at the hospital, so I reached out to them.”

By 2025, the annual campaign had expanded to more than 400 pots sold. This year, Mackler said that community demand remains strong, with more than 250 already purchased early in the early days of the campaign with more expected before the final sales day at Perth’s Maple Fest on April 25.

“I do it for Trisha every year,” she said emotionally. “That’s what keeps me going.”

“To be able to go to your local hospital instead of driving to a bigger city—it makes such a difference,” she told Lanarkist. “It saves time, it saves energy, and for someone going through treatment, that matters.”

While supporting patients’ connection to local care is truly meaningful, the fundraiser certainly does require a large amount of effort and foresight for the Kelly’s Flowers team.

Each spring, the fundraiser process begins weeks in advance, with pre-orders opening in early March. Mackler said that she tracks sales carefully, using past years’ sales as a guide while preparing for the logistical challenge of receiving and organizing hundreds of plants in her relatively small shop.

“It’s a huge undertaking,” she said. “When you have that many plants arriving at once, it takes a lot of coordination.”

After pre-ordering, customers pick up their daffodils directly from the shop, where many of them have taken the opportunity to share their personal connection with the fundraiser.

“We hear so many personal stories,” Mackler recounted. “People share why it means something to them—whether they’ve been affected personally or are supporting someone else.”

For Mackler, part of the campaign’s appeal lies in the lasting nature of the daffodils themselves. While they offer an immediate burst of colour indoors, she noted that the bulbs can later be re-planted outdoors in the fall, returning year after year.

“You’re not just buying a plant for now,” Mackler emphasized. “You’re creating something that comes back every spring.”

The fundraiser will take place throughout April, with $15 daffodils available for pre-order by calling Kelly’s Flowers at 613-267-7065 or ordering online at https://kellysflowers.ca/product-category/daffodil-campaign/