Red Cross Fundraising Event in February

Bob and Evelyn Wright will be hosting a ‘coffee and cake morning’ in aid of the Rethymnon Branch of the Red Cross on Thursday, 21st February at 11 am, at Acropolis Taverna (Laina’s—for directions see our This Month page). Tickets are €10, which includes coffee, cake and a free raffle ticket! Additional raffle tickets are on sale for €5 apiece. To find out more about the event, contact: Bob and Ev Wright, Villa Estia, Maroulas, PO Box 7791, Rethymno, 74100, Crete. Telephone 28310 71221 / 6947186679

The local branch of the Red Cross supports those in need in the Rethymnon region. This includes those who have somehow ‘fallen through the net’ or have become victims of natural disasters such as fire and floods. Donations of non-perishable food (tinned and dried goods) and clean clothes in good condition are always welcome — and with spring rapidly approaching, now may be a good time to turn out your wardrobes! Contact details for the Red Cross are given in the next column. Please help to support this worthwhile cause.

Funds from CIC Charity Bazaar in Hania

The CIC Charity Christmas Bazaar which took place in the Customs House in Hania on 8th and 9th December raised a grand total of €13,502. Details of the net amount to be distributed after expenses have been deducted will be publicised at a later date. Bob Wright is delighted to report that a Cheque for 2000 EUROS for Red Cross in Rethymnon has already been handed over. This money will go towards providing equipment — stretchers, pharmacy bags and oxygen tanks — needed by the recently established Samaritan Organisation. Thanks to everyone who helped to support this event.

Friends of Animals: Christmas Bazaar Update

Thanks to Christina Stylianides for providing us with this update on funds raised at the Christmas Bazaar: ‘FAR sends its sincere, heartfelt thanks for the help and support we had for our Christmas Bazaar December 1st, 2007 and Grand Raffle Draw December 27th, 2007. For those of you who were able to make either or both events, we hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. The long, hard months of planning were well worth it. Special thanks go to the children of the 2nd Primary School for all their hard work. They made €315 for our association on the day of the Bazaar. Both events were hugely successful, financially, with the Christmas Bazaar making €3,914.80 (not including the Grand Raffle tickets sold on the day) and the Grand Raffle making an additional €4,776. FAR was able to begin 2008 debt free with all accounts paid up to date, to carry on the hard work of helping animals in need. But before I finish with New Year Wishes, we want to specially mention the generous offer of Thomas Katifes, who gave all takings of the Christmas Eve performance of his play “The Little Prince”, which raised a further €325 for the animals’.

Spring Seminars at the Lykeion Ellinidon

The Lykeio Ellenidon (Lyceum for Women) has been running community education programmes for over 25 years now. This semester a course of seminars centred round the theme of ‘Self and Identity’ will be led by Sofia Trilivas of the University of Crete. The seminars take place on Wednesday evenings, and last two hours. This year the spring programme will run until 16th April. Sessions, which are conducted in Greek take the form of structured group discussions. The community Lykeio building is on the beach road near the old harbour, next to the Savodor Sandwich shop. Further information about the Lykeion Ellinidon may found (in Greek) on their website: www.lykeioellinidonrethymno.com