Richard Huish Lodge (8518) in sparkling form!
On a cold and dark November night, members of the Richard Huish Lodge 8518 were very pleased to get back into the warmth. They were keen to present a cheque to a very deserving local cause, Christmas Sparkle, www.christmas-sparkle.org who are supported with accommodation by local business Summerfield.
The Christmas Sparkle project works with over 50 local charities and branches of national agencies to support families in need. They aim to give a Christmas gift to every child aged 0-18 years living in difficult circumstances in the Taunton and Wellington areas. As they say, “We want to make every child’s Christmas Sparkle” This year, they are likely to give out over 2,500 gift packages to local children – that figure has grown by leaps and bounds every year.
Christmas Sparkle has established itself as a valuable local resource and is sustained entirely by volunteers and donations. Already this year, contributions have been made by – amongst others – local retailers, scout groups, veterinary practices, doctors surgeries and schools, as well as individuals. Additionally, some of the families that have benefited in the past have returned to “pay it forward” – 2,500 packages with several gifts of all sizes and shapes need a lot of Elves to do the wrapping ! If you want to see the ginormous scale of this exercise, visit their web page and scroll through the gallery. Once wrapped, the presents are delivered in bulk to schools and elsewhere by the very lovely people at My Day Care Services www.mydaycareservices.com
On behalf of the Lodge, our WM Peter, with the assistance of W Bros Mike, Charlie and Richard, was very pleased indeed to present to Gill and Alison a cheque for £409 to this worthy cause. This is the Lodge’s second year of support and already we are looking at ways in which the Lodge could offer greater support in 2024.
