CHESTERMERE – This weekend, the local Rotary Club will be at the Safeway Chestermere, selling Christmas wreaths to benefit the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
Interim-president Mahmud Abdulla said that the club heard about the CNIB wreaths from other Rotary Clubs in Calgary. He said that Rotary’s main objective is to help create awareness and raise funds for organizations in the community and across the country that require assistance.
Funds raised from the sales of the Christmas wreaths will go towards programs of the CNIB such as community information seminars on vision health, eye clinics, and public service adverts about glaucoma, degenerative eye disease, and more.
Funding will also help to support CNIB programs and services, which ensure that Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills, and opportunities to fully participate in life.
A small portion of the sales will go toward future RC Chestermere projects and short-term assistance programs.
“This fundraiser will help increase our ability to assist victims and families during emergency situations or accidents, by helping to buy emergency food items for the local food bank,” he said. “It is always good to take time to assist those in need, and it is important to be thankful for what we have in our lives.
“Many families suffer quietly, and if we can assist them without compromising their self-respect and dignity, then in my opinion we have provided worthy service to our sisters and brothers in our communities.”
Abdulla said that purchasing a Christmas wreath also allows the entire Chestermere community to participate in supporting a national cause.
“Acting locally can help globally,” he said. “The impact of an individual in a relatively small community like Chestermere can have a profound positive impact on the life of someone hundreds of miles away, or even change the life of your neighbour.”
The holiday wreaths will cost approximately $40, and will be delivered within a couple of weeks of being ordered.
Members of RC Chestermere will be selling the wreaths at Safeway this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will also take online orders via e-mail until Monday, Nov. 28.
Treasurer Patricia Virk said that each wreath is fresh and fragrant, with natural pinecones and holly berry clusters.
“It is a full 20″ diameter wreath with a beautiful weatherproof red bow,” she said. “It comes wrapped in a humidity controlled box.
“You can personalize a gift card to extend your holidays wishes to friends, family, clients and neighbours.”
Virk said that if someone would like to have a wreath delivered to another part of Canada, they can specify via e-mail and the RC Chestermere will try to locate a local service club in that area to see if they would be willing to deliver it on their behalf.
The wreaths will be delivered to hand-delivered by members of the RC Chestermere.
To make an order stop by Safeway this weeked, call Patricia at tel:(403) 204-3628 or e-mail the club at rotarychestermere@gmail.com.
