Sunflower field opening soon

SANDUSKY — As flowers start to bloom, volunteers are needed at a local sunflower field. Maria's Field of Hope in Sandusky — which is located next to Cedar Point's Express Hotel, 1201 Cedar Point Drive — will open on Saturday. The field is accessible to the public and should be in bloom for about four-to-five weeks. Prayers From Maria, a nonprofit, operates the sunflower field. The foundation raises money to help fund pediatric brain cancer research. Once the sunflower field is open, the foundation staffs it with volunteers seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteer coordinator Dawn Dawson is hoping to find people local to the area to help volunteer because the foundation is based out of the Cleveland area. Many of its volunteers have to drive nearly an hour to the field in Sandusky. Volunteers are needed to work the shop where merchandise, like clothing and jewelry, is sold. The items help spread the message of hope. Volunteers also encourage visitors to walk through the sunflower field, which honors the lives of children battling cancer and those who have died. Visitors can take the opportunity to think of a loved one who is currently fighting cancer or remember someone who lost their battle. There is no cost to visit the field, but donations are accepted. People can stop by anytime from sunup to sundown. Three volunteer shifts are available daily: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 4:30-8 p.m. Volunteers should be 15 years old or older. If a volunteer is younger than 15, they can work at the field with an adult. It's a great opportunity for students who need service hours or families looking to be involved in their community, Dawson said. Any volunteer that works in the field will receive two complimentary tickets to Cedar Point. The tickets can be used through the end of its season, including HalloWeekends. "Volunteering is a great way to give back," Dawson said. "Many people volunteer for our organization because they believe in our mission to help find cures for childhood cancer. Just about everyone has been touched in their lives with a loved one that has had to battle cancer." Sandusky's field bloomed for the first time in 2019. It was made possible because of a partnership between Prayers From Maria and Cedar Point. About 160,000 seeds were planted on 8 acres of land. Ed and Megan McNamara started the foundation to raise awareness and money to fund research for deadly childhood brain tumors. Their daughter, Maria, was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in 2006. She died in 2007 at the age of 7. When she was battling cancer, Maria prayed for all children suffering from cancer along with their families. Want to volunteer? Sign up online at signupgenius.com/go/20F054CA9AB22A6F85-marias19 Anyone who is interested or has questions can contact Dawn Dawson at ddawson@prayersfrommaria.org or 216-403-9587.