The Rotary Club of Athlone has launched its annual Christmas fundraising campaign – The Tree of Remembrance.
This year all funds raised will go towards assisting three worthy charitable causes, namely St Hilda’s Services, Athlone Sub-Aqua Club and the Rotary Club of Athlone.
Write a name or a simple message on a ribbon which is then put on the Tree of Remembrance outside the Civic Centre. Over a seven day period from Friday December 16 to Christmas Eve, the Tree of Remembrance will be decked with more and more coloured ribbons, creating a visual reminder of loved ones at Christmas.
A special Ecumenical Service with carols to remember those family and friends who will not be with us this Christmas will be held beside the tree at 2pm on Christmas Eve. All are welcome to attend.
The Rotary Club of Athlone is offering a number of ways in which to support the three charitable causes.
You can visit the Rotary Club of Athlone Go Fund Me Page and make a donation online.
Download the Tree of Remembrance App, write your message and it will be transferred onto a ribbon.
Make a donation at the various collections points and write your message on a yellow ribbon to remember family and friends, who will not be with us this Christmas.
Collection points and yellow ribbons will be available from December 16 at Athlone Towncentre, Dunnes Irishtown, Applegreen, SuperValu Monksland, Supervalu Ballymahon Road and Kilmartins N6.
The tree provides a wonderful opportunity for people to remember loved ones (both living and those who have passed away ) while supporting these amazing charities. For the people of Athlone and visitors alike, it is a lovely way of showing that loved ones are not forgotten.
“The support for the Tree of Remembrance has been overwhelming for the past number of years. Despite these hard and testing times, people have been very generous in supporting the local charities and it has been a privilege to witness so many people remembering their loved ones at Christmas,” Pat Ryan, President of the Rotary Club of Athlone, said.
The tree offers a moment of reflection and a time to remember loved ones in a simple and special way. People are asked to donate only what they can afford.
“We would like to thank the Town Council for their support in relation to the Christmas Tree at the Civic Centre, all the businesses and all the Rotary and charity volunteers for their tremendous support in this wonderful fundraising campaign. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and thank you all for your support,” Mr Ryan concluded.
