Lantern Clubs are made up of enthusiastic, fun-loving and committed volunteers who fundraise for the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) through activities that include events, raffles and street stalls. There are more than 14 Lantern Clubs across NSW, with a membership of over 500.
Members of Lantern Clubs have been able to affect real change in the lives of the children who access and use services through the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. Since 1964, Lantern Club members have fundraised in their communities; raising more than $14 million to help support children with a vision or hearing loss.
Lantern Clubs are raising funds and awareness for RIDBC’s Alternative Format Publications (AFP). AFP create tactile and braille resources for children all over Australia – from babies as young as a few weeks old to school students needing textbooks translated into braille to allow them to keep up with their class. This ensures children are not held back by their vision impairment and are able to live a life unlimited.
With so many worthwhile Charites around the nation, all doing a tremendous job, the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children relies heavily upon the work of these dedicated volunteers. At a time when so many social groups and volunteer organisations struggle for membership numbers, Lantern Clubs achieve some great outcomes.
“Our members get so much out of the work that we do as we are regularly kept up to date by RIDBC on where the money goes. In a time when it’s often the case that monies raised for Charites are swallowed up by the head office, we love hearing the stories about the children we are helping,” says current Lantern Club President Elaine Brock.
“Our members receive a Newsletter on a regular basis and we love seeing what we are all doing and hearing from the families about the progress of the children.” Elaine goes on to say.
As RIDBC has so many children on their services who stay with them for many years, it is an amazing & rather unique aspect of the charity that they can see the progress of the children over many years. In some cases it is from pre-school through to Year 12.
Lantern Club Coordinator for RIDBC Carol Hanna says “Our organisation’s various supporters such as the Lantern Club Members all become part of the RIDBC family and take great pride in the history of the organisation and the amazing outcomes for our students. To know you have helped provide a child their first braille book and then see them graduate Year 12 and go onto University is the most rewarding thing! Our Lantern Club Members can tell amazing stories about their time with RIDBC and the sense of satisfaction they get out of being involved with such a great charity.”
There are 14 clubs across NSW and each club has an Executive Committee including a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The clubs meet regularly to discuss their fundraising activities and to have a fun social catch-up.
Lantern Clubs aim to create a friendly and social environment whilst also helping lift the limits for children with vision or hearing impairment through vital fundraising.
Their goal is to engage the community through fundraising activities which help raise awareness for the valuable support and services that RIDBC provide for children with vision and hearing loss. The NDIS has had a massive impact on some families and the financial support they receive; fundraising has never been as important as it is now in the history of RIDBC.
Lantern Clubs provide much needed income to help RIDBC fill the gap and provide services to those that need it most.
So if you like socialising and being involved in fun and creative activities and would you like to be a part of an enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers that make a difference and help lift the limits for children with hearing or vision loss then you should consider joining a Lantern Club today! For more information on Lantern Clubs check out their website on xxxxxxx .
This lists the clubs across NSW as well as the contact details for the person in each area.
