Ballymoney Rotary Tree of Remembrance 17-14th. December 2016

The "Rotary Tree of Remembrance" is the Club's flagship project for Christmas and will run 17^th to 24^th December.  The Tree of Remembrance has been an outstanding success in many other towns such as Limavady.

The purpose of the Tree is to give members of the public an opportunity to write a message of remembrance onto a silky yellow ribbon, in recognition and memory of departed loves ones, those living abroad, who cannot be with them over the Christmas period, family or friends in hospital or ill at home, or for any other reason, to remember someone at this time of year.

All ribbons are then attached onto looped strings of tape, and gradually hoisted on top of Ballymoney's Christmas tree, as the tapes fill up.

In return, people are requested to make a small voluntary donation towards Ballmoney's Black Santa, aka Lam Beckett.  All monies collected in this way are being distributed to local charities, The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, The Samaritans, Drop Inn Ministries and Compass Advocacy.

Club members will join Liam at his "home from home" at the Diamond every afternoon in the week leading up to Christmas. The Christmas tree is located outside the Town Hall. The messages will be written at the Black Santa site and hoisted on to the tree every evening.

The official launch is scheduled to take place on Saturday 17^th. December at 3pm.

Rotary Club of Ballymoney President Richard Orr said "We are delighted to give members of the public the opportunity to remember their loved ones who cannot be with them at this time of the year. I feel that this will be one of the most positive projects of the year.  This is Black Santa's eleventh year and it's great to be able to join Liam in his sit out for our local charities."

Liam Beckett, Ballmoney's Black Santa said "This is a fantastic project and I am delighted that Ballymoney Rotary will be joining me in my sit out this Christmas."

The club will collect the ribbons from the Tree of Remembrance on Christmas Eve, keep them safe over Christmas and New Year.  

The Rotary Club of Ballymoney was formed in 1965.  There are 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs are open to men and women of all ages who are business, professional or community leaders and who want to use their experience for the benefit of others.