CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 300, 18 December 1931, Page 9

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Fine Work of Rotary Club Members. PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS. Again this year the Christchurch Rotary Club is making an appeal to the public for funds with which to provide the poor families of the city with Christmas cheer and necessities. The collectors were out at an early hour this morning, and soon it was apparent, from the number of passersby who were wearing the little white badges in their buttonholes, that the response was going to be excellent. Last year the magnificent sum of £llOO was raised, over 30,000 people contributing. With conditions as they are the club considered that this time there would not be the same response, and the sum of £IOOO was aimed at, but after the collection had been in progress a short time the results were so satisfactory that a revised and more optimistic estimate was made. The club considered, at noon to-day, that there were good prospects of gathering as much as £ISOO.

By 11.30 a.m. the sum of £162, which was in hand at the start, had grown to £370 11s, much better progress than was made over the corresponding hours last year. The club members are assisted in their work by members of Toe H, the Y.M.C.A. and the Optimists’ Club. The collectors will work right through the. day, and to a late hour this evening. To-morrow, the work will be carried on, but the directors have another avenue for the energies of themselves and their staffs. For a long time the directors, with the help of the various charitable organisations of the city, have been collecting a full and complete list of the families in Christchurch who are deserving of the assistance and cheer that the appeal affords. Each family is classified according to the number of children and dependents, and a special hamper is made up. The goods are bought, sorted and packed in the one day, and the delivery is in itself a task calling for expert organisation and many willing helpers. Plenty of Assistants.

The club has found little difficulty in getting assistants. Past years have proved that this appeal and the purpose to which the results are put find a response from the more fortunate citizens that is most gratifying, and the good that is done among the poor families is almost too great to be estimated. There is something else besides material comfort to be thought of at Christmas, but unless there is food and clothing for the little ones, the happy associations of the season are apt to go unrecognised. In their big effort, the Rotary Club members endeavour to provide both necessities and cheer, and the degree to which they succeed is worthy of commendation and support.