Card game hosts generosity secured defibrillator
TWO card game volunteers at the Benwiskin Community Centre are to be honoured this month.
Johnny Duignan and Pat McGowan have been hosting the centre’s card game nights for the past twenty years and donated the entire takings to the centre.
Their huge generosity will be recognised at the last card game night of the year on March 21st. “Everything they earn they give back to the centre, it’s all voluntary the work they do,” said Benwiskin Community Hostel Manager Jackie Warnock.
“They give it all back, the proceeds from the raffle books. The night on March 21st is a ‘ Thank You’ to them,” she said.
The money Johnny and Pat have raised over the years has gone towards many projects at the Centre, including environmental projects and a defibrillator.
The weekly card games attract men and women who may be lonely or isolated to the Centre to enjoy the game and the company of others. The end of games party on March 21st will be the last card games night of this season.
One of the priorities of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion’s Policy is “building viable and sustainable communities, improving the lives of people living in disadvantaged areas and building social capital” - which the centre believes they meet wholly through their initiatives.
These include a School Garden, a Country Market, a series of ‘ Healthy Eating Events’ and ‘ Save Our Planet’ Awards. They also work with North Sligo Community Walking Group which meets there every Wednesday since 2012.