DUNDALK DIGS DEEP
EXTRAORDINARY GENEROSITY SHOWN IN RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS, SAY ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY AND ST PATRICK’S SOUP KITCHEN
DUNDALK charities have benefitted from the ‘exceptional generosity’ of local people in the run up to Christmas, the Argus can reveal.
St Vincent De Paul is thankful for an incredible outpouring of support as it raised over €100,000 at its recent church-gate collections. The local charity also highlighted the very generous donations from both individuals and businesses alike.
Meanwhile, St Patrick’s soup kitchen revealed donations of food enabled it to offer 165 hampers to people in need.
DUNDALK St. Vincent de Paul celebrated a Christmas season of ‘exceptional generosity’ by local people and businesses in the area.
Area President Kevin Mulligan told the Argus that December is the busiest time of the year for the charity, as they respond to appeals from local families for help at Christmas.
‘ This year there has been an extraordinary response from both the people and businesses of Dundalk.
The church gate collections a few weeks ago saw upwards of €100,000 donated, including a number of churches which exceeded collections from previous years,’ said Kevin.
All of the funds raised locally will be spent in the Dundalk area over the next year.
‘In addition to that we have had a number of extremely generous individual donations for which we are very grateful.’
He highlighted the contributions of a number of companies based in Dundalk for their ‘incredible support.’
‘Paypal have been extraordinary in that not only did they have a huge collection of goods and foodstuffs, but they also put together a wide range of beautiful hampers which really were so appreciated.
They were all exceptionally well finished and wrapped, and basically ready for us just to deliver to people and families who need them,’ said Kevin.
One particular company, who have chosen to remain anonymous went, he added ‘above and beyond’ the expectations anyone at the charity had.
‘ The Dundalk firm came to us saying they wanted to ‘make a family’s Christmas’ by giving them what they needed, and asked us to identify a family they could support.’
He explained that one family with four children had only approached St. Vincent De Paul in the last week, having found themselves in urgent need of help.
‘ The firm in question responded with such unbelievable generosity, donating a range of fantastic toys, all the Christmas foods, vouchers, gifts for the children’s parents, basically everything a family needs.
We were so heartened at the efforts they had made even our volunteers were in tears as they delivered it all, it was so incredibly giving.’
He also thanked Ridleys niteclub for their support in hosting a Christmas night last week in aid of St. Vincent De Paul.
The fundraiser saw club goers make a donation to the charity, either cash or a toy in lieu of the entry fee.
‘It was a very kind gesture, and we thank Ridley’s for all their support,’ added Kevin.
Meanwhile, the St. Patrick’s soup kitchen have highlighted the support they received in the food hamper appeal over the last few weeks.
In a post on the Facebook page, organisers said:
‘A big thank you to the people of Dundalk and surrounding area whose support has been overwhelming this past few weeks with donations of food, vouchers, toys, clothes and cash for our soup kitchen/food parcels.
This evening a group of dedicated volunteers prepared 165 food hampers. A lot of happy people this year.’