Christmas appeal was a big hit again
THE Llanelli Rotary Christmas Appeal was again a big hit with children and families in Llanelli.
The appeal saw Santa Claus make Covid-friendly visits to children, much to the delight of parents and guardians and relatives.
The exercise followed the pattern set last year by Santa after the annual Llanelli Rotary Santa’s Grotto had to be shelved and replaced with house calls.
“Coronavirus has forced many changes,” said Llanelli Rotary secretary Alison Evans. “But the Christmas Appeal seems to have been as successful as ever, and we are grateful, of course, to Santa for all his hard work and all the Rotarians and volunteers who helped us this year.”
Money this year will go to support Ty Hafan, Wales Air Ambulance, Latch and Ysgol Heol Goffa.
Mrs Evans said: “We completed the selection box drop-off and bucket collections throughout December and are still adding up the numbers. We visited 295 houses and met 622 children, which is a little less than last year, when, of course, going out was not an option for most families.
“It was a joyful and rewarding exercise.”
The Rotary members also collected in Marks & Spencer in Parc Trostre, Llanelli, and at Llanelli Carnival and the Reindeer Parade in the town centre.
Mrs Evans added: “At the moment we have raised almost £6.800, and are hoping to add some matched funding to push the total to more than £12,000.”
There is still time to help the appeal.
Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/campaign/ llanellirotarysanta2021
In other news, Llanelli Rotary Club members have heard an update on the club’s successful international Lend With Care project.
Lend With Care is a revolutionary way to help some of the world’s poorest people work their way out of poverty with dignity.
Past president Mark Evans reported that two loans had recently been made by Llanelli Rotary Club, resulting in a running total of 143 loans made by the club.
The loans have helped 2,105 entrepreneurs and, in turn, assisted 6,376 family members. A total of 256 jobs have been created.
Llanelli Rotary Club agreed to make a donation of £200 to the Llanelli Food Bank instead of spending money on Christmas gifts.
Rotary members heard that during the recent Falklands Evening at the Diplomat Hotel £118 had been raised in donations. The club has increased this to £250 and is asking honorary member Lt Col David Mathias to advise on a donation to the local Veterans Association.
Llanelli Rotarians were sad to learn of the death of Colette Davies, a resident at Hafan y Coed care home.
Colette, a retired physical education teacher, joined Llanelli Rotary Club in 2013. She was a valued member of the club and will be greatly missed.
Llanelli Rotarians and other volunteers are reminded about the beach litter pick this Saturday, starting at 10am at North Dock, Llanelli.
Future club dates include -
Today: Virtual quiz by Zoom against Narberth & Whitland Rotary.
Wednesday, January 12: meeting in Diplomat Hotel, agenda/ speaker TBA.
Wednesday, January 16: meeting in Diplomat Hotel – speakers Sharon Burford and Chris Moore on Pentre Awel (Wellness Centre).