Message from Jeanette Lee, Overseas Service Chairman 2004-05
August 2005

Quick link to sections on this page:
The year ahead
Special Skills
Report on Assembly / Association Charity
Contact details
Special dates
Handy and Helpful hints
Things to Collect
Overseas lunch
Overseas Roundup Form
Cheques for Charities
Overseas Committee Contacts for clubs

The Year Ahead

When thinking about our aim for the year I considered how Inner Wheel could make a difference.

We are not a large organisation and therefore have our limitations in that we cannot meet the needs of all the people in our community or those in desperate need overseas.  But we can still make some difference.

I prefer that we continue with our Hands-On projects whilst assisting with funds to support a smaller charity where a difference can be seen.

• Continue support for Rtn. Bob Parffitt with Croatia Refugee Relief by providing the items for his regular shipments to Croatia.

• Education, especially literacy can make the largest effect on the future of developing countries.

I would like us to continue to support School – Aid in obtaining educational materials and books and wherever possible helping them prepare for their regular shipments overseas.

I am pleased to say that Sandra Maizels is still continuing to support School – Aid by becoming a Trustee.

• The District Overseas Service Charity I should like us to support as our major project is the "Sparrow Rainbow Village in Johannesburg South Africa”.

The HIV / AIDS problems have left a legacy of Orphaned Children.

The Berkhamsted Bulbourne Rotary Club together with the Rotary Club of Honeydew Merlin in South Africa has a project to look after many of these children. The size of this project is one where our efforts can really create a future for so many unfortunate children and make a real difference. We also have reliable contacts to ensure we know all the money goes into the project.

Rotarian John Bridges from Berkhamsted Bulbourne has spoken to the Overseas Service Organisers about this project. If you want to know more contact John.

Please pass on all information to your club so that they all know what is going on.  You will find this job very rewarding if you get the club involved – the worst thing you can do is – nothing!

Remember you are not alone and your District Overseas Committee is here to help you.

Best wishes for an enjoyable year ahead.

Jeannette Lee  

Have you someone in your club with Special Skills or Contacts?

Many of our members may have special skills or contacts that can provide materials or services. Members like Carol Dell who provides considerable help with Transport and Storage. Please let us know if you have any such members.

Report on Assembly

Association Charity : The New Association Overseas Charity is “Disability Action in Asia” China and Kurdistan. This is for children who due to their disability are hidden away and receive no education. This appeal is being carried out by Inner Wheel in conjunction with Save the Children.

One way to help raise funds for this charity - Audrey Pollard, the Association Overseas Service Chairman, has requested that each club make two Lavender Bags to be sold at the Association Conference in 2005.

Contacts

District Charity  Sparrow  Rainbow Village:

John Bridges, 01442 833394, john@bridgesj.fslife.co.uk
            David Brown, 01442 865873, browndw@ntlworld.com

Hands on

            Bob Parfitt (Refugee Relief)  Tel. 01604 – 648744. 

School -  Aid

Joy Baker or Chris Knight

School-Aid
PO Box 999

Amersham

Bucks HP7 0UD, UK

Telephone 0870 0056999

Fax 01494 724184

Website            www.school-aid.org

Special Dates

               11/12/13 April 2005 Inner Wheel Conference, Blackpool

               12^th May 2005        Overseas Service Lunch.

               November 2004     Overseas Service Chairman to complete the “Roundup form” (Please)

HANDY AND HELPFUL HINTS

Rotarian Bob Parffitt of Croatia Refugee Relief may be able to collect oversized items such as beds and bikes. His telephone number is 01604 – 648744.  However, please do not ask him to collect anything, which could be taken to a District Meeting.  He will normally be at all district meetings with his van, but not the Rally in October or the Overseas Lunch in May.  It is helpful to indicate on a label what is inside bags or boxes.

He takes most things, but food should be dried or tinned and not milk or meat or Baked beans?

Storage of goods for Bob (NOT FOOD) or School – Aid may be taken to Dell’s Removals in Berkhamsted.  Give Carol Dell a ring on 01442 863959, but you will have to get them there. Please label clearly which charity the goods are for.

If you have items for School – Aid that are not taken to a district meeting or to Carol Dell, then small amounts should be taken to the School Aid warehouse direct. If you have an “ENTERTAINER” Toyshop, goods can be taken there and they will transport them to their warehouse for our collection. There is one at Milton Keynes and Stevenage.

Large items or where there is a large quantity to justify using a van for collection this can be arranged with School – Aid Transport. However the items should justify the cost of travel.

If you have items please contact Jeannette or Les Lee on 01494  785076 to avoid wasted journeys.

Things to Collect

Please collect used stamps again – The sale of which helps to fund the organisation LEPRA.

Toner Photocopier and Printer Cartridges – These have been a valuable source of income over the past few years. Bring them to District Meetings but not the Rally or Overseas Lunch

Knitting – Please keep knitting blankets, baby clothes, hats and gloves.

Contacts – If you have a member with special Skills or contacts please let us know.

Overseas Lunch

You are responsible for providing one flower arrangement for the tables. You need not do this yourself; anyone in your club can help.

The colours in 2005 will be Yellow and White and the arrangements should be small and low – about the size of a dessert plate.  We ask that these are donated, but you may take yours home again at the end of the meeting.

Overseas Roundup Form

In November you will receive an Overseas Roundup form to fill in.  Please keep a tally of how many stamps (in Kilos) you collect, how many blankets knitted etc. Also what you have collected for Bob or School – Aid.

Please also include the amount raised for Overseas charities you have supported. It may be an advantage to keep a running total so that items are not missed when the report is required.

Cheques for Charities

All cheques for Sparrow Village and Disability Action Asia should be made payable to No 26 District Inner Wheel with the name of the organisation on the back.  All other cheques for overseas charities must go straight to the charity. Please always ask for a receipt or acknowledgment.