Home Service Report
January to December 2010
Thank you to all club correspondents for their diligence in submitting their reports. In all donations were sent to 20 national charities and support as well as funds were given to 25 local community causes, 7 medical charities, 7 hospices, 6 charities caring for disabled people and 3 specifically for young people. Enough of statistics - they cannot give any indication of all the generous giving of time, the ingenuity exercised in devising fresh ways of serving and fund-raising and the dependable nature of longstanding and regular efforts. These well-tried and tested efforts featured widely - the elderly, audiences, cyclists, walkers, carol singers and quizzers - to name but a few - have all been refreshed; tins have been shaken; stewards have been provided for comminuty events such as "Kids Out", Aquafest, Kite Festivals; knitting needles have clicked vigorously producing teddies, blankets and vests for a neo-natal unit; charity shops and warehouses have been manned.
More unusual activities have included the sponsorship of a mother's cycle ride in memory of her son who died in Afghanistan; donning amazing creations for an "Ascot Tea"; the commissioning of a stained glass window for "The Haven" (a quiet area in a local hospital); feet were set tapping at a Jazz Lunch; one club had themed monthly collections from members (e.g. 2p for every cookbook owned, 10p for each pair of shoes, close family members, bathrooms, Christmas Cards sent. The proceeds were donated to a charity for the homeless as they help people who have virtually none of the above.)
It was an inspiring and humbling task to summarise the detailed reports from the clubs. the sharing of these experiences gives us all ideas for the future. I am a great believer in the saying that "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
Jill Thomson - District Editor
