This year supporting Simon Community and The Samaritans, The Rotary Club of Athlone has launched its annual Christmas fundraising campaign – The Tree of Remembrance.
All funds raised will go to three incredible charities, namely the Simon Community, the Samaritans and rotary charities. Those who choose to donate can write a name or simple message on a ribbon which is then put on the Tree of Remembrance outside the Civic Centre in the heart of Athlone.
In the days prior to and including 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 and all are welcome to attend.
Make a donation at the collections points and write your message on a yellow ribbon to remember family and friends, who will not be with us this Christmas. Alternatively, you can make a donation online at https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/RC29610558.
Collection points and yellow ribbons are available at Athlone Towncentre, Dunnes Irishtown, Applegreen, Mulligans Service Station, 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 ) in the middle of the Christmas rush 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”.
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 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,” Ciaran Mannion, President of the Rotary Club of Athlone, said.
