It must be November!
The Garden Centres have cleared their shelves in order to make way for cards, baubles and sets of pulsating fairy lights, as Christmas shows its head above the horizon.
‘Ere long that nice Mr Hunt will be sending many of us a present with a label that says “Winter Fuel Allowance”. Despite the way fuel prices have gone, some still feel uncomfortable accepting this payment and will continue to make as donation to help address the need which is to be found all around us, and, by using Gift Aid, will get a further boost from Mr Hunt.
If you are thinking of making a Christmas donation, with or without the help of Mr Hunt, but have yet to conclude who to, may we invite you to consider the Club’s Christmas appeal?
This year there will be three beneficiaries.
- Children in Africa
Picture shows less than half of the school who had turned out to meet a club member and friends while visiting during school holidays in April this year.
Over recent years we have forged strong links with the Kanyama Free Baptist Community School in Lusaka Zambia, (CLICK HERE) and with the Kimbilio Organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo www.congochildrentrust.org who, between them, are helping improve the lives of nearly 500 children.
We have funded projects which have improved school facilities, and have provided much needed educational items. We have also helped with the feeding programme for the youngsters.
We would like to repeat last year’s donation, which provided a small gift and a party for all the youngsters and was received with great excitement and gratitude.
- Shoe Boxes
Moldovan girls collecting their Rotary Shoeboxes
As a Club we have supported the Rotary Shoebox scheme for a number of years.
This provides boxes of gifts or household items, for vulnerable youngsters and families, who live principally in Romania, and Moldova. www.rotaryshoebox.org
Each box is more than just a box full of useful and fun gifts; it’s personal, a gift not just for the person receiving it but for the family too – a message of hope and a demonstration that someone cares about them.
Each year members make up boxes of toys, household goods for families, or gifts for older children.. The categories of gifts are shown on the boxes.
At our club lunch meetings, empty boxes will be available for collection or, if you would like some boxes dropping off to you, then please let Mike Boyce know on 07976612276.
Rather than fill a box, some club members prefer to make a donation to the Club’s Charitable Trust which will then be used to fill boxes on your behalf.
- ShelterBoxes
Recent major natural disasters have brought untold misery and despair to tens of thousands who have lost everything and are in desperate need of the protection which ShelterBoxes provide.
ShelterBoxes are already on the ground in Libya and Morocco, but more are needed and depleted stocks in Cornwall need to be replaced.
To support the Christmas Appeal
You can make a payment into the Club’s Charitable Account.
Sort code 56-00-69
Account number 60255927
Please Show reference Appeal
Please e-mail Treasurer Derek Morgan Morgan_d12@sky.com with details of your donation, with a copy to Mike Boyce mike.boyce1@btinternet.com so we can keep track.
If you wish your contribution to go exclusively to just one of these causes, please add /Africa or /Shoe or /Shelter, as appropriate, after the reference Appeal.
With grateful thanks
Brian Bailey and Mike Boyce
Grant Giving Committee.