Rotary Club collecting gifts at the giving tree
Bray Rotary Club hosted their annual Christmas Giving Tree over the past two weekends. They were on the steps of the Holy Redeemer Church appealing for gifts for those in need this year.
This is the 15th year of the project which helps more than 300 people each year. How the giving tree works is that gift tags are placed on the tree with the first names and ages of local needy children and also vulnerable teenagers and adults. Bray Rotary get the names from the four St Vincent de Paul conferences in Bray, Purple House, Five Loaves, Bray Community Helpers, Mabbs, Open Door, and CASA (the Caring and Sharing Association).
The public take a gift tag, guy that person a suitable present, bring it back to the tree, and Rotary distribute them to the charities. Each year they get huge support from the people of Bray and this was no different.
Families in particular are particularly generous, and many of the same people return with gifts each year.
Bray Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, an international service organisation whose purpose is to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.