Helping families prepare for Communion time
A new pop up shop is on its way to Fermoy to help struggling parents and guardians ahead of the Holy Communion season.
Run by Ballyduff lady, Mary Williams, the shop will open at Richmond House, Fermoy in early March and will help families get kitted out for their upcoming Holy Communion ceremony.
Items available will include Communion outfits for children, such as dresses, suits, veils and suchlike. Some ladies dresses may also be available which mothers can wear for their child’s big day.
According to Mary, all items were donated through an online page set up for helping communities at Communion times.
“I set up a page ‘ Community Spirit’ on Facebook to collect donations of Communion attire in the hope to help families that may be struggling this year, as we have all felt the brunt of the last two years.
“All the stuff that was donated is in very very good condition and a lot of the clothes even have labels still attached from being at the cleaners,” Mary said.
Speaking with TheAvondhu, Mary, who has worked with homeless charities for over seven years, explains how she came up with the idea for the initiative.
“With Covid-19, there are a few people struggling and not telling anyone. I’m doing this so they don’t have to take out a load just to get a dress that will only be worn for a day or two,” Mary said.
Having put her work with the homeless on the backburner for a time due to personal reasons, Mary said that she still wanted to give back to the community and help those in need.
In October, Mary became aware that many families would be feeling the pinch in the run-up to Christmas, especially with the impact of Covid-19, which is when she first put out the call online for donations.
“Everyone was struggling, people who had no financial worries before were feeling the pinch and I thought I could do something to help, so I got the word out online. I got loads of calls from people asking if they could do anything, there was a great response,” Mary added.
Donations of vouchers were also made, which Mary noted could be used to buy socks or other bits and bobs that may be needed for the child’s big day. Accessories, party related items and anything that may help make things easier on families were also accepted.
APPOINTMENT BASIS
“I am still looking for donations of Communion clothes, vouchers, also if anyone can help in any way with vouchers for cakes, balloons and things that would help families make a child’s Communion special, I would really appreciate it,” Mary added.
Schools in the Fermoy area have been notified of the opening of the pop-up shop, which will be run at Richmond House, the former Presentation Convent, on an appointment basis from 10am to 6pm on March 5 and 6.
There will be no charge for items at the pop-up shop and anyone who may contact Mary to arrange appointments will be dealt with in the ‘strictest of confidence’, Mary noted.
“I think a child going in somewhere to try on their dresses is the magical part of the Communion and that’s why I am doing this. We can all pick up a dress online and bring them home, but the child is more involved when they visit the shop.
“Thank you to Fiachra and Debbie for their kindness in letting me use their premises and also to everyone that donated, without their kindness this would not be possible,” Mary said.
To make an appointment, get involved in the initiative or make a donation, you can do so by visiting the ‘Community Spirit’ Facebook page or by phone on 087-9654383.