Society’s annual holiday for 60 cancelled

THE annual summer holiday for upwards of sixty elderly from Dundalk has become the latest victim of the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The holiday is organised and funded by St. Vincent de Paul Society in their own facility. Ozanam Holiday Centre in Mornington.

Arrangements had been started by Conferences in the town to prepare a list for the holiday as they have done for more then 20 years, but the decision was made within the last month not to open the Centre this year because of the health crisis.

The news will be a big disappointment to many, for the week long stay in the Centre was the highlight of the summer for many in Dundalk who otherwise would not get a holiday.

The cancellation of the holiday is one of the many difficult decisions that the SVP in Dundalk have encountered because of the national lockdown.

Church closures have deprived the Society of their main source of revenue from their monthly gate collections, while the closure of their three charity shops in Dundalk has also cut off another major source of revenue.

The loss of both sources of funds is estimated at €150,000 in the Dundalk area.

‘ Thankfully reserves which we have built up has allowed the 12 Conferences in the town to meet the urgent need of those seeking our help during the lockdown, but that money will soon run out’ said Kevin Mulligan, Area President.

He added that the ‘stay at home’ restriction was curtailing the work of many members as they were unable to undertake visitation, but these volunteers were doing their utmost to help those in need by making contact by phone and email.

Demand for help from families and individuals is expected to surge as the full impact of growing unemployment is reached, and for that reason the Society is working hard to re-open one major source of revenue, their charity shops from Monday, June 8th.

’ The shops will be opened on a phased basis in line with Government guidelines’ according to Larry Butler, Regional President, who added that staff and volunteers would be working hard until the re-opening date to ensure that all the regulations with regard to social distancing will be put in place.

Training programmes have been devised for staff and volunteers and stringent protocols for donations, including 72-incubation for all donated textiles and the cleaning and disinfecting of other donations will be strictly adhered to.

The Society know that their shops, of which there are 35 in the region, will be working under a very different landscape, but they are determined to ensure that the best industry advice and best practice from all relevant bodies will be given priority.

‘We also deeply appreciate the difficulties that staff and our many volunteers who work in our shops will encounter and we are extremely grateful for their support” said Kevin Mulligan.