Lunch time ZOOM meeting - 1pm - Speaker Colin Ince from Rotary Shoebox scheme

On Thursday 14th October 2021 President Brian Johnson. took the chair as he welcomed 15 Club Rotarians, Rotarian Ali Nisbet from the Rotary Club of Dunfermline Carnegie and speaker Colin Ince to this our lunch time ZOOM meeting.

There were 6 apologies for nonattendance.

This week our speaker was Colin Ince from The Rotary shoebox scheme, which was started in 1994, when Rotary Clubs in Rotary District 1280 (Now District 1285) (north and west of Manchester plus the Isle of Man) started collecting shoeboxes full of gifts for the people of Iasi in Romania. PDG Val Scerri was the initial catalyst for this, having links with Spurgeons Child Care Organisation who already had children’s homes in Romania.
It was obvious that there was a great need for basic items which we take for granted in our daily lives and for toys for the children. Initial help from Rotary also included building a Kindergarten in Iasi (pronounced Yash – a large city of in the north-east of Romania). The shoebox scheme became a Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland supported project in 1997. In 1998 the Trustees tied in with International Aid Trust, having use of their warehouse, transport, and contacts. In 1999 they became involved with ‘Hope and Homes’ distributing boxes in Romania and Ukraine. Currently, some 50,000 boxes each year are being sent to countries including Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Albania, Moldova,

Suggested items to fill your Shoebox,  Child / Toys ~ For Boys & Girls, Cars, trucks, etc, balls, complete jigsaws, action figures, colouring books, pens, crayons, lego blocks, yo-yo, bubble blowers, wooden and plastic toys, building blocks, pencil case, pencil sharpener, dominoes, play-doh / plasticine & cutters, fluffy toys, dolls, stickers, writing pads, skipping rope, scarf, mittens / gloves, hat, harmonica, games, cards…Teenagers ~ For young people up to 18 years age,Sportswear, scarf, gloves, socks, hat, football memorabilia, writing materials, games, playing cards, tennis ball, tooth brush & paste, roll-on deodorants, comb, mirror, costume jewellery, make-up, hair brush, toiletries, school stationery, clothing repair kits, sketch pad, coloured pens / pencils…Household Goods ~ For older folk & families, Scarves, gloves, hats, wrapped

soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, disposable razors, shampoo, soap flakes, pan scourers, antiseptic cream, bandages, face or body creams, cosmetics, pens, writing pad & envelopes, T lights, candles, sewing kit, scissors…Baby ~ Age up to 12 months, This is given to new mothers and can include baby wipes, baby shampoo, baby oil, talc powder, bonnet, bootees and mitts, baby grow, baby blanket, small soft toy or plastic  rattle…
What NOT to include in boxes
Food, sweets, chocolate & drinks, battery operated toys, conflict related items, matches, inflammable liquids, inflammable aerosols (e.g.: deodorants & hair spray), seeds or any other living material, automatic washing machine powders
For safety – Please securely sellotape tops of liquid containers.
Protect anything sharp and do not put anything sharp into the Toys box.

The Rotary vote of thanks was given by Geoff Sampson.

Chantal Mrimi advised that we had purchased Crocus bulbs of which 1000 have been given to Auchmuty High School for planting and discussion on planting also at the Lomond Centre, contact still to be made with other groups including Friends of Riverside Park (FORP) about planting. We are also looking at lighting up buildings in the town in purple over a couple of days.

Wilna Roger confirmed that the annual Peace Walk has been approved by Fife Council, The Scottish evening at the end of November we were hoping to have as a musical evening.

David Cooper mentioned about the cleaning of the Mosaic at Riverside Park this afternoon.

The annual Peace Walk will take place on Wednesday evening 10th November 2021 with Rotarians starting off from Auchmuty High School this year.

This coming week Thursday 21st October at 1pm will be held at the Gilvenbank Hotel with a meal, speaker yet to be arranged.

If you were interested in supporting the community and international projects get in touch by Private message on The Rotary Club of Glenrothes Facebook page. You will be made most welcome.