Social Services appeal for donations ahead of difficult Christmas period
As we near the end of what has been a challenging year for us all, Sligo Social Services are preparing for what will be a very difficult Christmas for many.
2020 has been a year that will go down in history as the year that the world battled against Covid-19.
A threat that none of us could have imagined. We have seen many changes and we have all had to make many sacrifices in order to protect each other. A year that has seen us being asked to stay home to save lives.
While much of society closed down, those on the front line continued their work and we will be forever grateful to them.
Sligo Social Services were amongst those who did so. As a local charity providing vital services to the people of Sligo and surrounding counties they were inundated with more requests for help than ever before.
Like all those on the front line they have done their best to uphold their commitment to helping those in our community. The many support services ran by the organisation have adapted very well to this year’s demands. Thank you to the staff and volunteers for their incredible efforts throughout the year.
One thing that has been very apparent this year is that when our community is in crisis we all pull together to do whatever we can. The people of Sligo should be proud. We truly were in it together.
This Christmas we should all enjoy the little things that mean so much to each and every one of us. Let’s take the time to appreciate the people we love, the food we eat and the spirit of giving. Let us all enjoy the Christmas carols, the cosy nights and perhaps even the snow!
As Sligo Social Services now prepare for the Christmas season work is well underway to help make this time of year a little easier for those most in need in our community.
Their homeless services have had a very busy year. Christmas time will provide the opportunity to bring some cheer to the services and the service users.
Although the staff in the services may not
replace the comfort and warmth of a family Christmas surrounded by loved ones, they certainly do their best to create a welcoming homely environment, ensuring those unfortunate enough to find themselves without homes will be warm, safe and fed over Christmas. This season will see plenty of decorations and tasty Christmas treats.
The Friendly call service will continue to reach out to older people in our community who may be feeling lonely and isolated. And this will be particularly important over Christmas.
Staff and volunteers of the Meals on Wheels service will leave the comfort of their own homes every day over Christmas, as they do 365 days a year, to ensure no one is without a Christmas dinner. And while the meal will be very much welcome, the friendly face of the volunteer turning up at their home on Christmas is often worth much more.
Fundraising efforts for this year have been detrimentally affected and the charity is in need of your support now more than ever.
This year Sligo Social Services are asking everyone to get involved in their Christmas Jumper Day by wearing a Christmas jumper on any day of your choosing in December. Please donate €5 or whatever you can via the ‘Donate’ button on their Facebook page; facebook.com/ sligosocialservices, or on their website link; sligosocialservices.ie/donate.
They would love you to share a photo of you wearing your Christmas jumper to their Facebook page. Everyone can take part whether at home or at work. Many thanks to all those businesses, organisations and individuals who have already committed to taking part.
Sligo Social Services would like to say a sincere thank you to the community of Sligo and surrounding areas who have always given so generously particularly at Christmas time. This embodies all that is good about Christmas. Donations of cash, food and new toys are currently being accepted from the public. Sligo Social Services can be contacted at their office on Charles Street, Sligo by phoning 071 9145682 or by emailing info@sligosocialservices.ie.