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Rotary’s Priceless Tree of Joy

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This year the Rotary International Tree of Joy has once again helped the public bring cheer at Christmas to well over 3000 people.

Over the last month people have been invited to select a specific recipient off of the Tree of Joy hosted at Greenacres Shopping Centre, purchase their gift and return it to the Tree. From there, Rotary facilitates it getting to the recipients in time for Christmas.

The logistics of managing this project are overseen by Angela Newton, president of the Rotary Club of PE West. She states: It is important that we select our charities wisely and for the majority of the recipients, this is the only gift they receive.

Recipient ages range from barely months old to closing in on 100! Most of the recipients are also in various institutions. Many of the age groups over 18 years old are institutionalized for the rest of their lives. Many in this group are disabled and may have led productive lives for many years before. Julia Sargent of Khaya Cheshire (one such facility) says, “It is a lovely idea because there is not only joy in giving, but also in receiving”.

Newton finishes off: “We wish to thank all those individuals, groups and companies who supported the Tree of Joy again this year. While we have mourned the passing of the nation’s father, Nelson Mandela, I believe that all the generosity shown to the Rotary of Tree of Joy and other such projects that reach people in need would make him very proud. We are delighted to be associated with all the givers in our city.”

3426 gifts = between R342,600 and R513,900
Time and effort: Immeasurable.
The happiness that your giving brings at Christmas: Priceless.

Micaela Pauls
Micaela Pauls sat at the Tree of Joy for most of the time it was at Greenacres registering cards taken and gifts received from the public. Here she is busy setting up the tree at the start of the campaign. Photo by Barry Kock.
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.