Rotarians save Christmas Tree Lighting on Brac

(CNS): The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman has saved Cayman Brac’s traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony by donating a 20-foot artificial tree that will stand in for the natural tree felled by Hurricane Paloma. The live tree at the Government Administration Building that the Cayman Brac Rotary Club had always used for its annual holiday lighting ceremony was demolished during last month’s storm

Because of this, the club felt it had no choice but to cancel the much anticipated opportunity for lights, caroling, and celebration, according to a Rotary release. However, news of the cancellation was met by widespread requests from Brac residents: "We’ve lost so much, please don’t take Christmas away from us, too."

In response, the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman donated a 20-foot tree that its club had replaced this year with a newer model. Thompson Shipping generously transported the tree to the Brac in time for assembly on Tuesday morning, 9 December . Joseph Hew and David Kirkaldy from the Grand Cayman club flew over for the day to help the Brac Rotarians raise the tree.

Rotary International is an association of Rotary clubs worldwide. It’s made up of more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. The members of these autonomous clubs are called Rotarians, and they form a global network of 1.2 million business and professional leaders, all volunteering their time and talents to serve their communities and the world.

The Rotary Clubs of Grand Cayman include the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central, the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Sunrise, the Rotaract Club of Grand Cayman, and Rotaract Blue Cayman Islands. These clubs are working in concert with the Rotary Club of Cayman Brac to efficiently and effectively aid in the rebuilding of hurricane ravaged Cayman Brac.

For more information about the post-hurricane service activities of these local Rotary clubs, please refer to the information site at: caymanrotary.wordpress.com