Following their radio auction featured on Galway Bay Fm last Friday, December 6, the Galway Lions have announced they have raised €60,000 and they are not yet finished counting.
With the motto ‘We serve’, The Galway Lions club has done just that for the past 52 years since its founding in 1972. Part of an international Lions club, the Galway branch is made up of 50 volunteers, all of which give up their free time and energy to work all year round raising money for people in need.
Speaking with Muireann Ryan, The Galway Lions Club President, she talks about the work the club does all year round. Christmas time is their biggest appeal in the form of a radio auction and cash collections spanning three weekends. The Lions can then use this money for those in need this winter, and all year round.
For many people, the Lions are the reason they can have a Christmas:
“It might make a difference between somebody having a Christmas or having food at Christmas. Maybe they can now put a little bit of their money toward making sure that their children have a Christmas, that Santa makes a visit”, Muireann said.
“At Christmastime our task is to try and give that little bit extra help that might make a difference for individuals or families who are going through a bad patch. Give them the hand that they might need to get back on their feet.
“Our food appeal is the biggest work that we do. In previous years, we had an excess of 600 vouchers and this year we are doing food hampers as well.”
The Galway Lions not only use this money at Christmas, but to also support their many other projects around the year. The Lions support year round by paying utility bills or giving food vouchers to those who are struggling or ill, partnering with the University of Galway and ATU to financially support those returning to third level education and working with St Vincent de Paul on a fuel poverty project to supply fuel to people throughout the community.
The Galway Lions also partner with the HSE through suicide awareness campaigns and training. Every euro raised through their appeal goes 100% back into the community.
Muireann noted that the massive success of the Christmas appeal is testament to all the businesses that support them every year and the individuals that support the auction by purchasing goods. “It’s a testament to not only our members, but the community at large.”
The Lions have three weekends of cash collections which would not have been possible if not for the generosity of those who gave up their time to do the collections.
Now, the Galway Lions members will be busy ensuring that everyone will get their food vouchers and hampers in time for Christmas over the coming weeks, working in partnership with COPE Ireland, SVP and social services to reach anyone that needs a little extra help this Christmas.
“A thank you to all the Galway community. The success of our appeal this year fosters and enhances the sense of community and goodwill that we have in Galway” Muireann added.
