Unos 100 personas de varias nacionalidades participaron en la cena/baile en beneficio de la lucha contra el cáncer.
Se recaudaron unos €2,250 para las tres asociaciones españolas que trabajan contra el cáncer apoyadas por el Freesia Group.
Gracias a todos los comercios locales y individuos para las donaciones para el sorteo y la subasta.
Una vez más un evento fabuloso!
At one of the El Perelló Freesia Group’s meetings we discussed the possibility of producing a news letter periodically. Hopefully of interest to all of you, but especially for those members who do not have access to the internet. Although we try to contact everyone by phone if possible, some slip through the net.
Newsletter July 2010
Summer has finally arrived! Don’t complain about it being too hot because that’s why a lot of us came here in the first place. Let’s just enjoy it.
We spent a most enjoyable afternoon at the Carpe Diem on the 7th July. Representatives came from the three cancer charities we support and cheques for €2,500 were presented to each of them. They had already received cheques in December 2009 of €5,500 each making a total of €8,000 during the past year.
Freesia’s Vice President, Paul Davies, made a speech and said that although the donations this year were less than in previous years, we should be pleased to have done so well in this current economic climate. He also complemented the El Perelló group for their hard work and mentioned that they had raised over €6,000 since September 2009. Not an amount to be taken lightly, nor was it was raised without great effort from a lot of our members, as well as from local residents, who seem to be amazed at our achievements.
He also mentioned that, since the Freesia Group started some seven years ago, it has donated over €184,000 to Spanish Cancer Charities.
It was a lovely day and the food was great. At this point I need to mention that if at any of our lunches you are not happy with the food, etc., then please let me know. If I don’t get your feedback I cannot try to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
Most of you are already aware, but perhaps newer members may not realise, the price of the lunches always includes a €1 donation for Freesia, so just by coming to the lunches you are contributing in a small way to the money we raise. Eighty-eight people came to the Carpe Diem, making a donation of €88. The raffle raised €202, making the total raised of €290. All our visitors, including the el Perelló mayor and ex-mayoress, paid for their own meal, so nothing comes out of the pot for them.
One sad event after that afternoon was the sudden death of a Freesia member, Dave Beales. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go to Sue for her loss.
You will have already received a letter from the committee concerning their future structure. Sadly Margaret and David plan to stand down in September at the AGM, and Liz after the Christmas Fair. Margaret and David will, of course, still be involved with helping at the Fair. Margaret will also continue to oversee the book stall rota, etc.
If anyone feels they could be a valuable asset to the committee please don’t hesitate to put your names forward for election. The last thing we want is the break up of the El Perelló group because not enough people are willing to help. We have worked too hard to see that happen.
Our A.G.M and next lunch will be on Wednesday, 29th September at Restaurant Casa Llambrich in l’Ampolla. It’s located right on the quay. A three-course lunch including coffee will be €13 per person. I’ll need your choice of food beforehand but I’ll send you a menu nearer the time.
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s getting harder to find restaurants to take a big group. Casals in the village has reopened. We’re still waiting to hear reports about it, but we’re hoping to hold our Christmas lunch there at the beginning of December. The owner has already agreed to give us the same deal as Jordi did, but if we want something a little special for Christmas obviously we will have to pay a bit more.
There will be a members meeting on Wednesday 25th August at the Casa de Cultura. It would be great to see a big turnout then. For anyone who would like to join the committee it would be a good opportunity to make it known.
Of course, most of our energy for the next few months will be focused on the Christmas Fair in November. We know that we always get a lot of help from a certain nucleus of members and non-members, but more people are needed to lend a hand. If you cannot do much we understand, but even if you offer to help on a Freesia stall for an hour or two on the day it would be great. Of course, we need a lot of volunteers to help us set up the two days before the event and to clear up the following day. Last year, so many helpers turned up at 8 am to help us put the venue back in place, that we were all in the coffee bar by 10 am! Fantastic camaraderie with the knowledge of a job well done!
Our bookstall goes from strength to strength, often taking over €100. The books are only €1 or just 50 cents if they are returned - that’s some going! Another way you could help is by offering to work on the stall. It isn’t hard work - in fact, it’s a really good social event, so perhaps it’s something else you could think about.
Unfortunately, the committee has decided not to pursue the car boot sales. Luna met several times lately with the local authorities. Although everyone would like the boot sales, we feel they’re not worth the hassle because of the restrictions. Luna consulted a Gestor, and there are two options. Either everyone involved has to register as self-employed and then be liable for tax, or we could ask the Town Hall to issue Freesia with a licence to hold the sales, but we would then have to stipulate that all taking part would have to register with us, providing us with identification, etc. It was felt that many wouldn’t want to do this. There would also have to be rules of what can and cannot be sold. The sales would have to be manned by Freesia members and there are too few of us to take this on. We are aware that lots of other villages hold car boot sales, but eventually they’ll all have to conform to regulations or the sales will be stopped. Freesia cannot be responsible for any illegal sales, therefore we decided to stop them.
One of our members, Brian, has recently had a successful operation and we all wish him a speedy recovery. We hope to see you fit and well at the Christmas Fair, Brian.
Several members are receiving treatment for cancer and hopefully all will go well for them.
If you would like anything included in the next newsletter please let me know. I would also like to receive any of your comments.
All the best.
Pam de Luna.
El Perelló Events 2010
Wednesday 25th August Members Meeting at the Casa de Cultura
Wednesday 29th September AGM and lunch at Restaurant Casa Llambrich in l’Ampolla.
October 16th Cancer Week choirs in the square
Members meeting date to be advised
November Christmas Fair (date to be advised)
December - Christmas Lunch - date to be advised
December Carol Service followed by party - date t.b.a.
E-mail: pamdeluna@hotmail.com
Phone Pam de Luna on 977 475 000 or mobile 618 441 769
Luna’s mobile 606 856 086
Dear Freesia supporters!
Just to let you know that the Christmas Fair was a huge success and the takings surpassed all expectations, especially considering the economic “crisis. At the Salou Fair we raised over €6,300, and at the El Perelló Christmas Fair €2,845.58 was raised, bringing the total to the fabulous sum of €9,145.58.
This year between the two groups we’ve raised €32,000. As you know we divide the monies between the three Spanish charity organizations we support - the CNIO (official cancer research institute in Madrid), the AECC (Association Against Cancer - Tarragona branch) and AFANOC (Children with Cancer) for a special project in Tarragona. We have just issued cheques for €5,500 to each of the charities.
Since the Freesia Group began, some €176,273 have been raised up to date.
None of this would have been possible without the help of our wonderful supporters and donors. We have a marvellous team who are always there when needed, particularly to help with our main events - the Christmas Fair, the Fun Run in May, and the St. Valentine’s dinner dance.
Thank you all once again for devoting your time and efforts to this worthy cause.
Looking forward to your continuing support in 2010.
Best wishes.
The Freesia Group Committee.
| Wednesday 2nd June 2010 | Monthly lunch . Venue t.b.a. |
| Wednesday 7th July 2010 | Monthly lunch at the Carpe Diem Restaurant, El Perelló and presentation of cheques to the organizations supported by Freesia |
For news on what’s happening, check our website www.freesiagroup.com
To book lunch or other events, ring Pam, our secretary:977 395 064 or 620 213 898
email: info@freesiagroup.com
Kay raised €194.50 from the cars and Jennifer raised €59.50 from the Freesia stall at the car boot sale. Well done both of you. Thanks very much for your time and effort. Also, thanks Kay for the use of your land.
