By Gary Granat, F304909
August 2016
August 2016
Members of the Monaco America chapter enjoy traveling in their motorhomes, visiting new places, attending rallies, and meeting with our FMCA friends. But there’s another important aspect of this international chapter.
Monaco America organizes two rallies a year, and for the past 10 years our club has donated items and money to the communities where our rallies are held. At each rally, the chapter’s ladies’ tea event is the primary means of collecting and donating to selected charities.
This has been an extremely rewarding project for those involved in the ladies’ tea and for the chapter as a whole. It began in 2006 when the chosen recipient was the Indiana State Police. Our ladies contributed more than 100 teddy bears to be carried in squad cars so that troopers could give them to small children involved in traumatic situations and help quell their fears. In addition, dozens of homemade cookies went to children attending an annual banquet for families of fallen troopers.
At a rally in Columbus, Indiana, our chapter donated hundreds of Beanie Babies and many Huggy Bears to an Indiana Teenager of the Year. The young lady then sent the Huggy Bears and Beanie Babies to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. In turn, they gave them to local children trying to survive the terrors of war.
In Rayne, Louisiana, Monaco America members donated items that were representative of their home states. The items were auctioned off, and more than $5,000 was raised for charity. And during the ladies’ tea at that rally, 70 backpacks were donated for the children of Rayne.
Over the years, significant money and needed items have been donated to food pantries, homeless shelters, Ronald McDonald House Charities, children’s homes, children’s emergency shelters, a domestic violence center, and other needy groups. In all, more than 40 charitable organizations have benefitted from the generosity of Monaco America members. All the organizations expressed their gratitude.
To say that we are proud to be members of FMCA and of Monaco America would be a huge understatement. We are a caring organization that gives back to the communities that host our rallies. A big hug and very proud thanks go to all our Monaco America members.