The calendar may still be turned to the month of February, but it's daffodil time for volunteers with the American Cancer Society.

Today is the deadline to order bunches of the bright yellow flowers, which are seen as a universal sign of hope, for the annual Daffodil Days fund-raiser. Flowers will arrive in Casper from Washington state and will be ready for pick-up or delivery beginning March 23.

"Casper's office of course is the hub for ACS activity around the state, and we are so fortunate to have so many local programs here to help cancer patients and their families - Reach 2 Recovery, Look Good-Feel Better, Man to Man, Relay for Life and the daffodils," said ACS volunteer Jerre Jones.

More than 3,500 bouquets were sold in Casper last year with proceeds benefitting research, education, services and advocacy.

According to statistics provided by the ACS, 34 people in Wyoming contact the ACS office each week for information via the 24-hour hotline (1-800-ACS-2345), and 757 visits are made by residents of Wyoming to the Web site (www.cancer.org).

For the third year, makers of the collectible Boyd's Bears have issued a new bear to commemorate Daffodil Days. She is Carrie N. Hope, who has an embroidered yellow daffodil on one paw and carries a bag full of blooms. She joins previously issued Hugh R. Hope and Bea R. Hope in the collection.

The cuddly companion and one bunch of daffodils sell for $25. One bouquet of flowers (10 buds) is $10, five bouquets is $40 and 10 bouquets is $70. Volunteers request a minimum of five bouquets for delivery to one address.

Flowers may be picked up at the new ACS office location, 333 S. Beech, beginning Monday, March 23.

To order today, call Jones at 234-8625 or the ACS office, 235-0044.