Community - Tree of Joy

Community Service - Tree of Joy

The Rotary Tree of Joy began in 1999. It was the Year of the Senior Citizens. It was felt by members of the St Ives Rotary community that it would be an appropriate act of community service to remember those Senior Citizens who would be living in Nursing Homes at Christmas. Many of these people would receive few or no visitors, let alone gifts.

It was decided to identify those people and a list of Nursing homes was drawn up.

A list of people of all ages, genders and nationalities in the homes were asked to write down what they would like as a gift for Christmas. Gift cards were written out by some of the Rotarians with the person's name, age and what they would like.

These cards were then put on the tree donated by the St Ives shopping village centre; of which the centre management has been very enthusiastic to support us.

The tree is manned daily by a Rotarian or two from early December until around the 20th December (usually 2 days before Christmas Eve). A card or cards are chosen by members of the community (and sometimes we have people from afar who support this worthwhile cause). They then purchase and wrap the presents, and return them to us at the St Ives shopping village.

The local community has supported this project over the years and there has been many a laugh and many a tear shed over how little most of these Senior citizens wish for. An 87 year old lady asked for a motorbike magazine. Many asked for some lollies.

In 2007,2008, 2009 and 2010 we received over 1000 requests from nursing homes and veteran homes for gifts. I am happy to say that everyone received a gift. Last Christmas was our best year yet with 1375 requests!

Past President Gregory Rappo placing gift cards on the tree at St Ives shopping village.