It’s all about giving back to Samoa

By Deidre Fanene 12 June 2016, 12:00AM

The annual Rotary Garden Party proved a popular stop for members of the community yesterday. Held at the residence of the New Zealand High Commissioner at Tiapapata, the fundraising event is one of the highlights in Rotary’s calendar.

President Tony Callaghan said proceeds from the event are used to fund a number of the Club’s charity projects.

“The reason we get together is that we are trying to raise money that we can put back into the community,” he said.

“The money that we raise during the Garden Party is going towards educational projects. “Those educational projects consist of supplying books, furniture, desks, chairs and also to support system and processes for the public and school libraries in Samoa.”

The President added that education projects are only a fraction of what the Rotary Club does in Samoa.

“We also help out in the Health Sector as well by supplying medical supplies,” he said. “We are looking at a container load of medical supplies for Tuasivi Hospital in Savai’i next month.

“It’s in conjunction with a Rotary Club in Australia who works with us to make sure all those donated goods from the generous Australians get to the destination of the hospital.

“So we have lots of fundraising events and all Rotary members offer their time, their experiences, and their services for free.

“We don’t make any money and we are a non profitable association and we just do this in our spare time.” Mr. Callaghan said it is all about giving back to the community.

 “Today is all part of a bigger picture for Rotary and our next big fundraising is in November and it will be for the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

 “We are only a small club but we are a very healthy club when it comes to raising funds because we get a lot of support from the generous individuals, members of the public, business owners, the government, and the corporate businesses and all over Samoa.

“This makes our job a whole lot easier but this means we are ensuring that money goes back to the community which is what we are all about.”

By Deidre Fanene 12 June 2016, 12:00AM

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