Volunteers aim to bring festive cheer to struggling families
The growing problem of homeless in Galway city is edging towards crisis point, but one particular local campaign is making attempts to make the struggle that bit easier in the lead up to Christmas.
The Galway Christmas Appeal will see the continuation of their drive after its initial, overwhelming success last year.
The appeal sees the donation of shoeboxes full of items from the public, which will then be distributed to various homeless people who are currently experiencing hardship throughout Galway city and county.
Founder Geraldine Monaghan this week told of how she was still in shock at the scale of the generosity received from last year’s campaign. There are seven other committee members involved who have also given up their own time to aid the cause.
“I run a mediation group and I literally put up on my Facebook page one day before I left –‘wouldn’t it be a great idea if we did boxes for local people.’ I went out to my group and when I came back it had exploded,” said Geraldine.
There were over 4,000 boxes donated last year from all parts of Galway and Mayo. The charities directly benefitting from the donations include COPE Galway, The Galway Simon Community, Galway St Vincent de Paul and various other Galway churches and societies who help the most vulnerable in the city and county.
Feelings of sadness at some of the homeless stories that were emerging in the lead up to Christmas are what led Geraldine to set up this appeal.
She said shoes in particular were a big item on the requirement list this year. Other items of high value include toiletries, warm winter wear and children’s items such as colouring books, action figures and hair accessories. These items prove a welcome boost for parents who may be struggling to provide their children with gifts for Christmas. Gift vouchers are also encouraged.
But money is not accepted. Items such as duvets, blankets and second-hand clothing are unwelcome due to the group not having the capacity to sort these items. These items can be donated directly to the various charity shops throughout the city.
Local companies such as SCCUL Enterprise Centre, who have donated rooms to store the boxes and Corrib Foods, who are providing a lorry to allow ease of transport of the boxes have been extremely generous to the campaign thus far.