A window of hope on Pana
A former Debenhams window on Patrick’s Street has been covered with a story-board about the annual Rotary Tree of Remembrance.
Filling the window, which has been whited-out since Debenhams closed in April 2020, the story-board also features some background about Rotary and a brief outline of some of the annual projects the club is involved in both locally and overseas.
The window signage is also an invitation to the people of Cork to join the club and get involved in organising or fundraising for its various projects.
The club is looking for men and women with an interest in improving their own community and situations of need overseas. Rotary is a worldwide grouping of thousands of local clubs which meet regularly to organise or fundraise for events in their own area.
Meetings often have speakers on a wide range of topics and, in non-Covid-19 times, regularly have visiting members from other Rotary clubs. There is also a Rotaract Club in Cork which caters for younger people up to 35 years old.
At its recent meetings, the Rotary Club of Cork has had speakers from COPE, Focus Ireland, Shine Autism Support and Marymount Hospice, who spoke on the ways in which they help and enrich the community.
These local organisations and many more will all benefit from donations at the annual Rotary Tree of Remembrance on Patrick’s Street this year, from 12-24 December. From Sunday, the iconic giant Christmas tree will be back in its usual spot outside Brown Thomas where people can place handwritten messages to their loved ones on yellow ribbons while also making a donation to a charity.
The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday with Lord Mayor of Cork City Cllr Colm Kelleher doing the honours.
Cork and Bishopstown Rotary Clubs have been collecting for Cork charities at the Tree of Remembrance for over 16 years.
Anybody looking to volunteer for some two-hour stints at the Tree of Remembrance, or would like to make a donation, or would like to join the Rotary Club of Cork, is asked to contact secretary@corkrotary.ie.