Camden Haven Lantern Club hosted Erin Ivey, Lantern Club coordinator from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, last week and presented a cheque for $5000 to the cause.

Local club treasurer Lorna Newman said the donation was just part of funds the club raise each year to benefit deaf and blind children and their families.

“We’ve raised $21,000 this year,” she said.

“This year we received a generous donation from the senior citizens of $10,000. Each year we normally raise around $11,000.”

The fundraising is an excellent effort from the club’s 65 members, according to Lantern Club coordinator Erin Ivey.

“We have 23 Lantern Clubs in NSW and each has different ways of fundraising. The Camden Haven Lantern Club is very creative in their fundraising and it’s a really friendly group. They have raised almost $300,000 in the 22 years they have been in operation.

“The money benefits 817 families in Australia to help deaf and blind children, not just through hearing or vision aids but support and services. We have one family in Port Macquarie signed up to the tele-school which helps families educate their children and learn communication skills.”

Ms Ivey visited the local group for their annual general meeting last week and attended a few of their fundraising functions, including a jewelry and dinner party and barbecue.

The club was surprised to receive from Ms Ivey a donation of three trestle from Bunnings in Port Macquarie. The tables are very light-weight and easy to transport which will make fundraising stalls much easier to set up.

The Camden Haven Lantern Club draws members from all over the Hastings. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1.30pm at the Laurieton United Servicemen’s Club. For more information contact president Bill Newman on 6585 5106 or secretary Jenny Goninan 6586 4806.