By Peggy Chandler
I cannot believe how quickly this year has passed as I prepare for the collection of items for Festival of Trees Gift and Gourmet for Royal Pines.  This year, I am again Royal Pines’ volunteer liaison for Festival of Trees.  For those who are not familiar with Festival of Trees, it is an annual event designed to raise money for Friends of Caroline Hospice — a nonprofit United Way agency that provides home care for patients with a life threatening illness.  Friends of Caroline Hospice provides help through care but with an assortment of programs not only designed for the patient but for their families as well.
The Festival of Trees runs from December 5-10 at the Charles “Lind” Brown Neighborhood Activity Center formerly known as The Greene Street Gym. The Gift and Gourmet Shop sells donated items at the event.  There are a variety of ways you can choose to get involved including working a two to three hour shift at the Gift and Gourmet shop, baking goods (holiday wrapped), making handmade items valued less than $50, donating items such children’s books and jams or jellies or a tax deductible monetary donation. Please contact me at buddysoma@embarqmail.com or 322-0472 if you decide to contribute.  In the past, the Royal Pines community has generously donated in various ways and I hope we can continue with that generosity again this year.
If you would like to participate in this Royal Pines Community endeavor, please drop off your donated items to me on Saturday, Dec. 3 between noon and 5 p.m. at 4 John Calhoun Street or you may deliver them directly to the Greene Street Gym on Sunday, Dec. 4 between noon-5 p.m. and let them know you are a resident of Royal Pines. Thank you in advance for your contributions.
If you have news or social items you would like to contribute to the Royal Chatter, contact me at buddysoma@embarqmail.com.