CHRISTMAS SHOEBOXES 2013

John Thomson reports:-

Ian Bennett and his team of Nicola Antoni and John Thomson exceeded
expectations with this year's record shoebox appeal.   Over 500
shoeboxes were gathered in, against a target of 400, and of 374  in 2012.  
The project was noteworthy because, firstly, the Club decided to collect
for deserving children in the UK supported by the Honeypot Childrens
Charity, instead of the hitherto annual Rotary scheme for disadvantaged
children overseas, and, secondly, the number of local schools who
contributed was more than doubled from five to eleven.

In addition to superb support from the Club, especially Alan Blair's and
Mike Eyers' contacts, the supporting schools were Brockenhurst Primary,
Tiptoe Primary, Foxhills Infants, Lyndhurst Infants, Copythorne Infants,
Netley Marsh Infants, Calmore Infants, Calmore Junior, Abbotswood
Junior, Oakhill Primary, and Totton College.

It was Ian's recommendation and leadership to support Honeyport, which
has proved to be an excellent vehicle to benefit some of our UK
disadvantaged children.   Nicola and John shared the school collecting
workload, with Peter Stewart organising Tiptoe.   At the close,
President Ted (who formally received many shoeboxes from the schools)
and Ray Dawes took an array of photos, particularly for feedback to the
contributing schools.   The accompanying small selection shows
Brockenhurst Primary and Lyndhurst Infants children handing over their
shoeboxes, and the Club presentation to Honeypot at their New Forest
respite holiday home on 23 November 2013.

A thank you letter to the Club and schools from the Chief Executive of
Honeypot extols grateful thanks for bringing some seasonal joy to many
vulnerable and deserving young children, and Ian and his team are
indebted to everyone, within and without our Club, for willingly
supporting the cause and making it a success.   (JKT)

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