Tawa Lions raising funds towards
Ronald McDonald House rebuilding project

Tawa Lions are raising funds towards the Ronald McDonald House rebuilding project. In mid-2009 the Lions Club of Tawa made a commitment to raise funds to support the Ronald McDonald House Wellington rebuilding project, by accepting a 'room' target of $25,000 over three years.

Ronald McDonald House Wellington provides a much needed home-away-from-home for families outside Wellington whose children are receiving treatment in Wellington Hospital. As more and more families require the services of the House it must now grow to meet the ever increasing demand. The new House will enable 34 families to be accommodated - up from the current 12. It will cost more than $14 million to complete, with $9 million raised by Ronald McDonald House Wellington Trust so far.

A large number of individual Lions clubs have got behind this project to help build a bigger, better House. Lions intend to raise $500,000 towards the cost of a number of rooms to be known collectively as the 'Lions Den' with some clubs also making the commitment to purchase a room.

"Tawa Lions has already made an initial contribution of $10,000," said Tawa Lions president Brenden Jacobsen. "That initial contribution came from the proceeds of our successful Tawa Lions Saturday Market," said Brenden, "and other activities will be carried out to raise funds towards the House rebuilding project in addition to using further market proceeds.

To raise the profile of the Ronald McDonald House rebuilding project in the Tawa community and to gain its ongoing support, Tawa Lions recently erected a fundraising barometer that will show the amount of funds raised. "The barometer is sited at Dress-Smart to whom we are extremely grateful," said Brenden. "We are also extremely grateful to ITM Timber and Henshaw Signs for providing the materials and the signwriting for the barometer, and to HireQuip Lower Hutt for the use of a post hole auger, all at no cost to the club."

Members of the public wishing to donate to this worthy cause may do so at the Tawa Lions Saturday Market held at Dress-Smart each Saturday. More information about the campaign can be gained by visiting www.givealotoflove.org.nz. The photograph below shows (left to right) Lions David Miller, Ross Pedder (up ladder) and Ray Lindsay finishing the erecting of the fundraising barometer.