Community comes together to help one another in Avoca
THE community of Avoca has come together to support one another during Covid-19.
A team of 40 volunteers has been out on a daily basis delivering essential food, medicine and other supplies to members of the community who may be cocooning or in self-isolation.
A call for volunteers was made using the Avoca Tidy Towns Facebook page and it received a huge response from the community.
‘After the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made the first announcement, we decided to start to look for volunteers instead of waiting for the lockdown,’ Bernie Ivers, member of Avoca Tidy Towns said.
Along with post mistress Mary Bolger, Bernie has been co-ordinating the community effort which has drawn support from other local community groups including Avoca GAA and Camogie clubs, Avoca Active Retirement, Men’s Shed and the local scouts troop.
Arklow Meals on Wheels have also expanded their service to the Avoca area and hot meals are delivered to 30 people seven days a week with the cost covered by Avoca Active Retirement and Avoca Tidy Towns.
‘ The system is contactless. People leave out a note if they need anything and a volunteer will pick it up. All the volunteers are Garda-vetted through their involvement with local groups. We have a great bunch of volunteers,’ Bernie said.
‘For example, there is one volunteer who will go to the village and collect newspapers for people every morning so they don’t need to leave their house.’
The volunteers are also able to check in on members of the community cocooning or in self isolation by telephone to make sure they are alright.
‘We’re delighted with the response and hope to build on it when this is over,’ Bernie added.
If you know of anyone in the Avoca area who may be in need of help to collect shopping or essential medicines, please contact Mary on 087 9387871 or Bernie on 087 1457973.