Somerset County’s Blooms of Hope 2026 campaign launched

The annual Blooms of Hope fundraiser in 2025 raised $16,048. The "Blooms of Hope" committee members from left: Lydia Welsh, Betty Anderson, Marcy Shellenberger-Steinly, are shown with Kimberly Keim (far right) who created the word HOPE using daffodils at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ on Hope Sunday. Absent from photo was Jill Gary from the Blooms of Hope committee. (Photo: USA Today Network)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

January 23, 2026

Despite the cold, blustery winter weather Somerset County is experiencing right now, there is hope of spring coming.

A sure sign is the daffodils that will soon be seen all over the county as Blooms of Hope launches its 2026 daffodil campaign.

The daffodil, as the first flower of spring, has become the perennial symbol of hope for those facing a cancer diagnosis. This year, as information packets have been sent to local churches, schools and organizations, Somerset County will celebrate its 13th annual Blooms of Hope. From now until Feb. 28, orders will be taken for fresh or potted daffodils to be distributed March 18, 19 and 20.

“So many of us have been touched by cancer in some way. You feel helpless. That’s why we do this,” said Betty Anderson, one of the Blooms of Hope committee members. “We’ve all been there. We want to give them hope. That’s why we call it Blooms of Hope. We want them to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope.”

Last year, with the generosity and support of community donations, more than $18,000 was collected with 100% of the funds helping local cancer patients and their families.

What is Blooms of Hope?

Blooms of Hope began because those raising funds for the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days didn’t have a definite answer on how much money was coming back to Somerset County people, Anderson said.

“Henry Cook from Somerset Trust said we’ll keep doing this because it’s a good fundraiser,” she said. “In 2015 we kicked off Blooms of Hope. We kept the money raised in Somerset County. It went to the oncology department at Somerset hospital and then Somerset Walk of Hope.”

Anderson said the money donated now goes to the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies who give out the fund requests.

“We learned last year that 312 requests were fulfilled and 159 patients were served,” Anderson said.

The money goes toward Somerset County cancer patients and caregivers with needs such as travel expenses for treatments and bills.

To request a Participation Packet or for more information, contact Jill Gary at 814-289-1833 or Betty Anderson at 814-445-6698, or visit the Blooms of Hope website.