Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a free book programme, recently landed in Dublin.
Children who are signed up will receive a free book every month until their fifth birthday.
To be able to provide this, Dolly wished for local support.
Dublin Rotary opted into kick-starting the project in the area.
Already in other parts of the United Kingdom, Rotary clubs have part-funded for the scheme.
To raise money, the club will be hosting numerous community events, commencing with a quiz night on the 6th March.
Dolly expressed, “You can never get enough books into the hands of young children.
“I know there are children in Ireland with their own dreams – the dream of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a teacher. Who knows, maybe a writer, or singer.
“The seeds of these dreams can often be found in books and the seeds planted in a community can grow across the world.”
Dolly Parton at her meet and greet
Maidenhead Bridge Rotary
Maidenhead Bridge Rotary opened a pop-up shop for a weekend in February enabling over 100 people to receive health information.
The Maidenhead Advertiser credited the club for testing blood pressure or cholesterol levels, with the help of the Stroke Association.
The team advised the best solutions going forward as well as offering diabetes tests, well-being screenings and massages.
Rotary member and therapeutic coach, Victoria Williams, gave tips on relieving stress and anxiety and signposted visitors to organisations that can provide additional support.
The event was all part of the club’s themed project – Fit for February.
Lisa Hunter, club member said, “Although the results were a little scary, it was good that so many people were now going to get checked properly.
“It was worth it. That’s what’s quite nice about this event, people who are doing their shopping can just pop in.
“It can potentially save lives and people think about changing their lives.”
Volunteers smiling during their Fit for February event, held at a local town centre.
Cowbridge Rotary
Cowbridge Rotary and restaurant Shampan joined forces to host a social evening for people suffering from dementia and their carers.
The Bridgend Today reported that the combined team worked on establishing a setting enjoyable for everyone.
This included reserved space, appropriate lighting and music, as well as a rejigged menu.
Chef Ashi Aravind has been cooking professionally for over 18 years, and recently the Shampan was highly-commended in the ‘Best Indian Restaurant Wales’ category.
A few months back, Cowbridge club members presented Ashi with a branded mat.
The club has taken to other local businesses, who jumped on the bandwagon.
Each mat symbolises how local businesses and organisations are working towards becoming more Dementia friendly.
So far, fourteen colourful mats have been placed in stores, restaurants and other business entrances and ten are in production.
Overjoyed that Cowbridge has been recognised as a community working to become dementia-friendly. This Friday 25 May, Dementia Friendly Cowbridge will celebrate their achievements in Cowbridge Town Hall, so unite with us and celebrate Dementia Action Week #DAW2018 @cowbridgepeople pic.twitter.com/8CYx0Wa3x0
— Alzheimer’s Society Cymru (@AlzSocCymru) May 24, 2018
Thornbury Rotary
At the heart of major shopping in Bristol, Thornbury Rotary recently visited Cribbs Causeway.
The club has been out and about promoting our campaign to end polio.
An iron lung was displayed outside Topshop, which attracted many busy shoppers during the two days.
Rotary spearheaded the campaign back in 1985, when there were over 1,000 polio cases a day in 125 countries, paralysing and killing children.
Today, the number of cases is down by 99.9%.
Although the number of actual cases of polio in the world is small, the virus still remains.
Rotary International, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization, continues to devote efforts to eradicating polio.
WORLD POLIO DAY today 24th October
We are so very lucky in this country that there are many younger generation who would not even be aware of what the terrible disease called POLIO is !!! – Thank you Rotary International & Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. End Polio Now! pic.twitter.com/3ScjSIeQVd— Thornbury Rotary (@ThornburyRotary) October 24, 2018
