Time to Play Santa and See the Kids Smile

Without a doubt, Christmas can be an exciting time of year! It’s the season where families come together to share gifts and enjoy invaluable time with loved ones. Weeks leading up to December 25th are tinged with anticipation and bubbling excitement as well as plans for festive get togethers, social engagements and shopping excursions to find the perfect present for those dear to your hearts.

This year, as you sit and ponder, ready to pen your family’s wish list, why not spare a thought for those youngsters who can’t be with their loved ones due to unfortunate circumstances beyond their control; those whose health, happiness and wellbeing depend largely on the generosity of others and whose current family consist of volunteer carers, visitors and roommates. This year, add an extra present or two to the shopping list and grant a wish for one of the children at Jodie O’shea Orphanage.

Every year from December 1st, a traditional Christmas Tree takes pride of place in the foyer of FINNS Recreation Club, but instead of shimmering with the usual tinsel and baubles, this tree boasts decorations of a different kind. More than just an ornament, it is a symbol of hope and generosity. Attached to the branches are tags bearing the names and details of each child from the Jodie O’Shea Orphanage in Denpasar, along with one item they would wish to receive on Christmas Day. You won’t find any requests for iPhones, laptops or big name brands here. Preferences are simple, day to day items, the likes that most of us (and our children) might take for granted such as T shirts, sports shoes, clothing, art materials and back packs.

Before you don your santa hat and head out on your trek to track down 2017’s presents and stocking fillers, simply grab a tag from the Jodie O’Shea Wishing Tree and register the name and details you find on the tag with the reception team at FINNS Rec Club. Once you have purchased and wrapped your gift, drop it back to reception. The aim is to get the presents to FINNS by December 20th at the latest so that staff have enough time to organise any extra gifts that may be required. Feel free to select as many tags from the tree as you like!

On Christmas Day, December 25th, FINNS Recreation Club will host its annual Xmas Lunch and, as is the case every year, they will once again extend an invitation for the Jodie O’shea Orphanage family to join the fun. All of the children are treated to lunch with the FINNS family and guests, games and fun on the slides at Splash as well as a visit from ‘Santa’ when these generously donated gifts will be distributed to each and every child.

Most of us who celebrate the spirit of the season understand that the gift of giving can often be the most rewarding, but little more can more can put warmth in your heart and a tear in your eye than witnessing the smiles on the faces of these kids as they unwrap a gift that has been chosen just for them. Put a little extra for others in the stocking this Christmas…. Take a tag from the tree and some time to choose for someone who has less, ‘for it is in giving, that we receive’ (Francis of Assisi).

The Jodie O’shea Wishing Tree will be in FINNS Recreation Club foyer from December 1st, from which date you are welcome to drop by and select a tag from the tree.

FINNS Recreation Club
Raya Pantai Berawa, Canggu
finnsrecclub.com