“It is often said that Christmas has a way of bringing out the best in people and over the past few weeks the people of Galway have really been incredibly supportive in their response to each of our appeals”, said Galway Lions President Pat Dennigan.
For the Galway Lions Club this is their busiest time with members fundraising outside supermarkets; in the temporary “Den” in Upper Abbeygate St. promoting the work of the Club and encouraging businesses to donate items for the Radio Auction; finding homes for Teddies as part of a Christmas Draw; and manning phones and working behind the scenes in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre to ensure the Radio Auction is a success.
All this activity is intended for one purpose, namely, to raise money and redirect it back into the local community of Galway to help those most in need.
Already the Lions Club has confirmed that it raised almost € 19,000 from the Supermarket collections, and in excess of €32,000 was raised from the Radio Auction, with donations still coming in.
“We are very pleased with the response and I want to assure people that already much of the money received is winding its way to homes in the city,”
Over the last week members of the Lions Club has been knocking on doors and presenting people with food vouchers to help them in some small way.
In collaboration with SVP, Simon, and local Health and Social services staff the Lions Club have identified families in need and this year some 580 families are going to benefit from the money raised.
“ One of the highlights of the Galway Lions year is the visit of Santa to special needs children at St Joseph’s and the John Paul Centre,” said the president Pat Dennigan. “ It’s a tradition which goes back many years.
“To watch the joy on the faces of the children when Santa enters the room, is a real privilege for us and one which is made possible by the donations we receive.”
Last week Santa made a flying visit to the schools and managed to give a present to each of the 112 children before continuing his preparations for Christmas.
“ Our work carries on into the New Year, but I want to say a special thank you to everyone who helped us this year, the businesses, the public, and of course the volunteer members of the Club. May I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and with your continued help may we make 2014 a little bit better for those who need our help.”
The Galway Lions Club, which has been serving Galway for 40 years, has 60 members and meets on the second Monday of the month at 8.00pm in the Ardilaun Hotel. Lions Clubs are a group of men and women who volunteer their time to try and improve the quality of lives of their local community. All money collected goes straight to those in need. No money received goes to the administration of the Club.
For more information you can follow it on facebook www.facebook.com/galway lionsclub or if you want to get
involved please check out www.galwaylionsclub.ie/ emailinfo@ galwaylionsclub.ie or ring Pat on 086 1716260.
