The Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset will launch their annual Tree of Joy project this week. Look out for them outside Pick n Pay, where they invite members of the public to accept requests for Christmas gifts for five organisations that care for the aged, and for handicapped children and adults.
This year, the Tree of Joy gifts will go to residents of the McKaiser Old Age Home, Salem Crossroads and the York Street House, The Corner House and pupils of Kuyasa Special Needs School. Recipients have filled in special cards with their requests for some Christmas cheer. Many of the requests are humbling – some sweets or basic toiletries, or items of clothing.
Members of the public are invited to collect a card and pledge to prepare the gift for distribution by the Rotarians to the designated recipients. Gifts should be to the value of R100-R150 although givers are free to make their gift as generous as they want to. Gifts should be wrapped and returned to the Tree of Joy table or to Wallace Pharmacy.
Rotarians will be at the Tree of Joy table from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to midday on Saturdays and Sundays, starting Friday 13 October.
President of the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset, Tim Dold said, “We’ve always had amazing support from Grahamstown residents for this project. It is touching to see families coming to collect cards and making it a family project to give to those less fortunate.
“Sometimes young children come and offer to buy a gift. As Rotarians we are always moved by the generosity of ordinary people, and we also get to see the joy on the faces of the children and old folk who receive the gifts.
“This really is a wonderful project, and we’re grateful to everyone who contributes.”
