Rotary District 9640 – International Service Chair – PDG Terry Brown
Sunflowers for Ukraine
This “Sunflowers for Ukraine” is a simple way that we can show our support for the victims of the war in Ukraine. The funds we provide will provide desperately needed relief for those who seek it; the sunflowers we plant will stand as evidence of our solidarity and our hopes for a brighter, peaceful future for all.
I encourage you to get involved.
Jessie Harmon Rotary International Director, 2021 – 2022
Why Sunflowers – The Sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine.
Although this is a project of the Rotary Club of Coolamon, clubs interested in being involved can provide their own artwork, for cards and make it their own project.
This project is a partnership between RAWCS, Rotary Australia World Community Service, Caritas Ukraine and the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations.
The way the project works is that clubs receive a donation or sell a Cello bag with approx 40 sunflower seeds. No donation figure has been set, that can be up to clubs. At the District 9705 Conference people wanted to give $50, $20, and $10 for a bag of seeds. By receiving a donation of $5 per bag you would be making a significant donation to this project.
These are the steps to take in preparation:
How Many Seeds: Work out how many bags you will need. There are around 16,000 seeds in ONE kilogram, enough to make up 400 – 450bags with 40 seeds in each bag.
Bags: Best to order the bags from Cello Bags, Australia. 2,000 of the 75mm x 100mm 40um resealable bags, cost is $55.00 including GST and delivery. Resealable Bags LD 75mm x 100mm x 40um 1000 per carton. Cello Bags provide a very efficient and fast service. Cello Bags Australia best contact is Mobile (Geoff Senior), let them know it is for the sunflower seeds project or Email sales@cellobags.com.au
Cards: You can get the cards printed. The Rotary Club of Coolamon had cards printed by Quick Print Wagga, business size cards (90mm x 55 mm) 3,000 for 12 cents each including GST.
Flyers: If you want to sell the bags of seeds to the public, you can print one flyer for each outlet. Artwork for the flyers attached.
Logos: As you know you can create your own club or district logo on My Rotary, RAWCS or Ukraine logos can be sent to you, by PDG John Glassford from the Rotary Club of Coolamon. Email jacksflat@gmail.com
Filling the bags: You could involve local schools or the community in filling the bags. The card can be put in first then one teaspoons of sunflower seeds which works out to be around 40 seeds per bag.
SO FAR, THE COST TO CLUBS IS ABOUT 18 CENTS, PER BAG OF 40 SEEDS, I.E. FOR THE BAG AND CARD, YOU MIGHT THEN NEED TO PRINT SOME FLYERS.
WHAT ABOUT THE SUNFLOWER SEEDS;
A local farmer Doug Bruckner from Gnadbro Pastoral Company of Collingullie, has generously agreed to donate 500 kg of Sunflower seeds for the project. The seeds will be packed into 1 and 2 kg bags and sent to those who want to support the initiative. 500 kg of Sunflower seeds probably around 8 million of them. They can be ordered from the Rotary Club of Coolamon, on the email above.
Display Boxes: The Rotary Club of Coolamon is looking into purchasing display boxes for the bags of seeds. The boxes will have a secure slot for donations. With these display boxes clubs will be able to make bags of seeds available to the public in shops and clubs or community centres. However, the prices are $17.20 each for 100 boxes or $3.70 each for 1,000 boxes. Enthusiasm for this project has been very high in a few short weeks and they are hopeful of obtaining boxes at the $3.70 price.
Painting by Artist Oleksly Shekshuuev
Ukraine is on the mind as with everyone, remember, you will be supporting Caritas Ukraine in partnership with RAWCS Australia.
If this project is of interest to your members and you would like to obtain additional information, please contact PDG Terry Brown Email terry.carolbrown@bigpond.com Mobile 0427 500610
