St. Patty’s Day a charm for fundraiser

It was like finding a four-leaf clover. This year’s Daffodil Day bloomed on St. Patrick’s Day and was rewarded with the biggest yield ever. The annual charitable fundraising event netted a total of $35,004, an all-time record. Daffodil Days at Harvard is a yearly fund drive that raises money for the American Cancer Foundation.

The total number of the dazzling yellow bouquets sold this year was 5,752, of which 1,166 were donated to Cambridge Hospital, Youville Hospital, Sancta Maria Nursing Facility, and Mt. Auburn Hospital (pictured above).

The top sellers this year included Maureen (Mo’ Money) Griffin from the Law School with an amazing 583 bouquets and the Development Office’s Peter Conlin with 503 bouquets. Coming in third, fourth, and fifth were, respectively, Christine Kaye from the School of Public Health, Lynne Perry from Harvard Management Company, and Ellie Epstein Baker from HBS Publishing.

The Harvard Mail Services volunteers its efforts to deliver the flowers to more than 100 locations across the University in one day, including locations in both Cambridge and Boston. The complex and demanding coordination is done through Ursula Moore and Shirley Washington.