The Club’s Blankets for Kids project has been an overwhelming success
thanks to the outstanding generosity of the local community and businesses.
For the month of May the bins have been overflowing, and in good weather and bad, I too have had calls to accept deliveries at home.
It seems there has been an army of caring knitters and knitting groups clicking away on the needles in the background during May.
And not only did we receive donations of valuable woolen blankets, but
duvets and bedspreads, flannelette sheets, woolen hats and gloves. For many who didn’t have a blanket at home to donate, new blankets were purchased, such was the desire to help those in need.
It has been overwhelmingly encouraging to experience the enthusiasm of people
in the community first hand. The total number of blankets donated was in excess of 1,500 which far exceeds last year’s pilot project. As well as the three local charities, we have also supplied 200+ cot blankets to Littlemore, the organization which supports maternity and family wards at Middlemore Hospital.
I’d like to thank the Comms Committee, and especially Rob Mouncey for an excellent advertising and promotional campaign. Making the front page of The Times was a great tribute to the community and the Rotary Club of Howick.
Thanks to Mike and Pat Abercrombie for the time they gave every day during May collecting blankets from Grasslands - and answering the call at short notice if I needed a hand.
Thanks to our quality control ladies; to all who helped bag the mountain of blankets, and to Geoff for the use of his van, and to those who assisted in delivering to the charities.
A special thanks to Dave Wylie who spoke to his business network group, about the blanket project. The outcome was more than generous. Not only did each member of the network group contribute financially, but Don Stehr, a previous Rotary Club member, matched the amount they raised, which further enabled the group to source and purchase 350 new blankets. I’d like to particularly thank Wayne Strong and Greg and Wayne Banks.
Dave, as a gesture of thanks, I have given you Sergeant’s immunity for the next
two meetings!
I’d like to acknowledge the team effort of Howick Village Association in liaising, supporting and assisting the Club. It was an invaluable partnership. The Information Centre was the perfect central hub. My thanks also to Grasslands, Howick Optometrists and other local retailers, Howick College and Farm Cove Intermediate.
I would like to encourage the Club to make this an ongoing annual project.
We have received a clear message that the local community is uniquely united in it’s commitment to help those in need.
Imagine what could be achieved if every Rotary Club in the District adopted a similar project in their own area?
Well done Howick community for your monumental generosity!
Bill Charkow
Convenor
Blankets for Kids