The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kearney’s empty their coffee jar
CHARITABLE causes are rarely far from the minds of good natured locals and news outlets, and their gatherers are keenly aware of the fact.
Every conceivable means of collecting cash for one charity or another have been brought into play here and elsewhere over the years.
Management and staff at Kearney’s Bar placed a jar on one of the shelves last year and decided that they’d donate the takings from coffee and tea drinkers to various charities.
The first they picked was the Jack and Jill Foundation and they presented area representative, Sheila Maher with a cheque for €1,200 one afternoon recently.
“We often get people dropping in for a bit of a break from whatever they’re at on a given day and they’ll have a cup of tea or coffee. We decided some time ago to put the money from these away for charity and that’s what you see on the cheque today.
“We’re starting off now with an empty jar again and when it’s full we’ll donate that to our neighbours at Castleisland Day Care Centre,” said Betty O’Connell of Kearney’s Bar.
Sheila Maher expressed the thanks of her organisation to all who donated to the jar:
“On behalf of the Jack and Jill Children’s foundation I would like to sincerely thank Betty, her staff and all the customers for their generous donation. It is very much appreciated,” said Sheila Hayes who accepted the cheque on behalf of her organisation,” said Ms. Hayes.
The Jack & Jill Foundation provides nursing care and support for children with severe neurological development issues, as well as offering some respite to the parents and families.
This could be through home visits from nurses, with practical tips on how to access the services a child will need.
Jack & Jill also provides direct funding to families, enabling them to buy home respite care to give them a break. You can find out more about the Jack & Jill Foundation here: https:// www.jackandjill.ie