Popular poinsettia delivery grows funds for community’s youth

Kiwanis Poinsetta Sale — Hays Kiwanis members deliver 471 poinsettias Tuesday.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Members of the Hays Kiwanis made special deliveries Tuesday — 471 poinsettias hand-delivered to Hays residents and businesses throughout the community.

According to Kiwanis member Margaret Gabelmann, the Hays Kiwanis Club Poinsettia Fundraiser has been around for 20-plus years and is the group’s most popular. The project raises more than $4,000 every year — funds that go right back to the Hays community.

“Our priority with the Hays Kiwanis is children, so a lot of the kids programs, arts programs in the area,” she said. “We try to donate in the best way we can.”

Kiwanis Poinsettas — The Kiwanis Poinsettias come from Stutzman Greenhouse in Great Bend and come in traditional red, white or red with white speckles.

Gabelmann said the purpose of the fundraiser and the beauty, quality and large size of the poinsettias they receive — and the fact the members volunteer “all the work” — add to popularity of the Christmastime fundraiser.

“The plants are really beautiful. … The best poinsettias I have ever seen,” Gabelmann said. “I think the fact that we deliver them to your house helps … really all you have to do is give us the money, and we take care of the rest.”

The Christmastime fundraiser began in October and orders were accepted through mid November.

For more information on fundraiser and the Hays Kiwanis, click HERE.