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ROTARIANS PRESENT COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Last Thursday (20.11.08.) in place
of their weekly meeting the members of Donaghadee Rotary Club organised an
evening at Grace Neils for their wives and partners. The event took the form of
a drinks reception and a meal. After the meal President Paul Leathem presented
the coveted Community Service Award to Jennifer Flinn.
Paul Fitton,
Chairman of Ards Over 50s Forum (which helps 400 clubs in the Ards peninsula
area) introduced Jennifer Flinn and explained her service to the community.
About 25
years ago Donaghadee Dance Club was formed. Jennifer and her late husband were
involved in making teas, sandwiches, scones. However by 1999 this weekly event
developed into a Lunch Club.
Every
Wednesday members arrive at 10.30 and have tea or coffee. This is followed by a
series of talks, flower arranging, bingo, jewellery making, aerobics, making
Christmas Cards, and sometimes visits elsewhere. They participate in an
Intergenerational Programme with Donaghadee High School.
While these
events take place Jennifer Flinn gets the lunch ready. The vegetables and
potatoes are peeled and cooked together with the pies that Jennifer has cooked
at home. The sweets that she prepared at home are also dished out.
Every
Wednesday Jennifer provides meals for 25 pensioners, followed by another cup of
tea (of course). Members pay £3.50 each week, for the best value meal in
Donaghadee.
Jennifer does
not get paid.
After the
busy Wednesday Jennifer does not sit down to relax on Thursdays. No, she would
normally be serving the Dee Dancers on Thursday Evening.
Some of the
other days of the week are taken up by helping the Arthritis Care Group, of
which she is secretary. She organises collections, transport for trips to
Scotland and elsewhere.
Jennifer
gives of her time selflessly, efficiently, willingly, just for the pleasure of
doing it.
Without her
some clubs would not survive. Jennifer is a very worthy recipient of the
Community Service Award
President
Paul presented the award and a cut glass bowl.
In reply
Jennifer said that she thought that Paul Fitton was talking about someone else.
She just enjoyed doing it, and thanked the Rotary Club for its kindness. She
asked that the £100 cheque be sent to the Arthritis Care Group to help pay for
their Christmas Lunch.
The members
of Donaghadee Rotary Club would like to invite you to an evening of Sacred
Christmas Music in First Donaghadee Presbyterian Church High Street Donaghadee
on Saturday 13th December 2008 at 7.30 pm. The music will be provided
by The King’s Chorale conducted by Robert Wilson M.B.E. and guest artiste
Gillian McCutcheon. All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.
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