St. Catharines Lakeshore News

Posted by Eric Jones

CHRISTMAS GIFT DONATIONS MAKE DIFFERENCE

 
The members of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines collected and delivered a carload of socks, toiletries, gloves, books, gift certificates and many other gift items to The Raft to make up Christmas presents for all of their young clients.
In 1992, in response to growing concerns associated with a lack of services for at-risk and homeless youth, an interfaith task force examined how the community could best meet their needs. Following consultations with education, social services, justice, the faith community and local agencies, the RAFT, operated by the Niagara Resource Service for Youth, became a reality. Since then the Raft has helped thousands of youth throughout the Niagara Region, by providing support services, programs and resources, helping them to become independent and self-sufficient individuals. With funding from service clubs, community groups, the faith community and concerned individuals, the RAFT programs include:
 
• A 16 bed 24/7 Hostel
• Steps to Independent Living Program
• Regional Transportation Program
• Community based Youth Reconnection Program
• Community Development Initiatives aimed at strengthening stressed neighborhoods and empowering at-risk youth

For more information on The RAFT, go to http://www.theraft.ca/site/home.
 

FIELD WELLS INSTALLED IN CAMBODIA

The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore is pleased to announce that Tabitha Foundation Canada has completed the installation of our two club-supported fresh water field wells in Cambodia. Each well supplies two families with enough irrigation water to grow crops year round on an average of 4 hectares of land, along with water for daily living.
 
Although Cambodia is blessed with an abundant water table containing clean, potable water, much of its population is too poor to afford the construction of a water well. Field wells are constructed in the fields where crops are grown. Each well supplies two families with enough irrigation water to grow crops year round on an average of 4 hectares of land, along with water for daily living. Skilled local well drillers are contracted in each project area. There is a 6 month complete warranty on all wells and parts are easily replaced locally. Families are trained in maintenance and upkeep.
 
Yolanda Henry, Chair of Tabitha Foundation Canada recently sent photos our two families and their wells, writing “Please find attached photos of the field wells that your Rotary Club’s donation has provided for these families.  Thank you so much for your life changing gift of water.”