Bookarama
The Rotary Club of Ashburton’s major annual project is Bookarama, a second book sale extravaganza which also includes sales of jigsaws, CDs, DVDs and tapes.
The project has been running for over 30 years and is the club’s major fundraiser. Funds raised find their way back into the community through the Rotary Club of Ashburton Charitable Trust. Recipients of funds raised through the project are diverse. The range of causes and projects includes the EA Networks Centre, Methven Heritage Centre, Ashburton Trust Event Centre, Cancer Society and Plunket among many other organisations. Other recipients have included scores of young Ashburtonions seeking support to further educational and sporting endeavours.
The Rotary Club of Ashburton Bookarama is held each year for one week, opening in September to coincide with Ashburton’s Boulevard Day and South Canterbury Anniversary. The venue is the Ashburton Sports Hall on Tancred St, Ashburton.
Samoa Project
A devastating tsunami in Samoa in 2008 and the response through the international Rotary-based aid organisation Shelter Box, led the Club to become involved in a project helping Samoan schools in 2009.
Each year since shipping containers of school desks, chairs, book shelving and books have been shipped to Samoa with Club members from The Rotary Club of Ashburton and other clubs within Rotary District 9970 travelling to Samoa to build book shelves and deliver books.
In 2011 a container of medical equipment including a number of wheelchairs was sent to Samoa. Club members accompanying the shipment distributed the wheelchairs to several disabled Samoans and built access ramps into their homes. The project was the subject of a documentary on television’s Attitude programme. The programme can be watched here: http://www.attitudepictures.com/attitude-tv/2011-episodes/rotarians-gift-to-samoa/
Books for Babies
Every baby born to residents of the Ashburton District is presented with a board book by the Rotary Club of Ashburton.
The books are distributed by staff at the Ashburton Maternity Unit and by independent midwives. Each book is gift-wrapped and includes a welcome message and a brochure detailing children’s services at the Ashburton Public Library.
The Rotary Club of Ashburton is very grateful to the Advance Ashburton Community Foundation and the Tindall Foundation for their financial support of this project.
Antiques & Collectibles Fair
Run in conjunction with the Christchurch Antique Bottle and Collectables Club, the fair was first organised by the Rotary Club of Ashburton in April, 2013.
After a very successful first fair, the club has committed to running this event as an annual fixture. Stallholders offering a wide variety of collectibles from jewellery, china and books to postcards, artwork and coins set up for the one day fair in the Ashburton Sports Hall. Thanks to the generosity of antiques experts, appraisal of items is also offered for a small fee.
Lake Hood Cycle & Walkway
The development of a seven kilometre track from the SH1 Ashburton River Bridge to the top of Lake Hood was a major project for the Rotary Club of Ashburton.
The track was developed with assistance from Environment Canterbury, Ashburton Contracting Ltd and the Ashburton District Council. It offers cyclists and walkers a pleasant, easy-going track from Ashburton to Lake Hood.
Access to the track is from the southside of the Ashburton River Bridge or from the western-most end of the lake.
Other Projects
During the course of the year, the Rotary Club of Ashburton’s members find themselves busy running and helping organise various events and functions in the Ashburton District. Among other projects, club members help out with the annual Children’s Day, organise an annual party for Foundation for the Blind members, transport elderly residents to a concert in the Ashburton Domain, organise farm visits for children from earthquake-affected parts of Christchurch, deliver Meals on Wheels and help with blood pressure testing at Ashburton supermarkets.
Some of our projects
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