2016-12-01 Wish List PR RC Sedona Red Rocks
Holiday Wish ListBy Donna Hawk
More than 100 gaily wrapped gifts provided by the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks will brighten the holiday season for some less fortunate Verde Valley residents.
This is the fifth year that Red Rocks Rotary has sponsored its Holiday Wish List project. New to the program was a partnership with the Sedona Chapter of Toys for Tots which provided two toys for each child in the program including two bicycles.
As a result, Red Rocks Rotary was able to fulfill holiday gift wishes for four families comprised of five adults and ten children ranging in age from one to twelve years.
One of the boys in this year’s program suffers multiple severe disabilities while another is challenged by a serious medical condition that has financially strapped his family. A family comprised of a mother, her son and a daughter will be spending their first holiday away from an abusive household. The three spent nearly the entire past year living in the Verde Valley’s domestic violence shelter.
Nominating forms were sent out to many area charitable organizations, schools and churches in October. The nominations were returned to the club for the selection process early in November.
Once approved for participation in the project, the recipients are asked to provide lists of items that the club could furnish. Red Rock Rotarians shop for, wrap, tag and deliver all of the gifts purchased. Requested items this year included clothes, toys, electronics, art supplies and household goods.
In addition to the wish list items, each family also receives pantry staples along with a $100 grocery gift card.
The Wish List project is supported by the club’s fund raising endeavors including its recent Oktoberfest that was held October 22 at Sedona’s Posse Grounds. This fourth annual Red Rocks Oktoberfest was attended by more than 700 people and raised over $14,000.
According to club treasurer Donna Hawk, “the thirty-six members of Red Rocks Rotary are honored that the Wish List recipients allow them the opportunity to add a bit of cheer to this season of giving. The project truly exemplifies Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self. And, we are especially grateful for the generous donation from Toys for Tots.”