The Galway Lions Club is issuing a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ to everybody who has donated to the service over the past number of weeks.
The lead-up to Christmas is the busiest time for the local organisation, with members fundraising outside supermarkets, encouraging businesses to donate items for the radio auction; and quietly visiting people in their homes. This voluntary activity is intended for one purpose - to raise money and redirect it back into the local community to help those most in need.
The Galway Lions Club, which has been serving the city 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 groups of men and women who volunteer their time to try and improve the quality of lives of their local community. Club president Eimear
McDonnell says every year she is blown away by the generousity of the people of Galway. “It is often said that Christmas is a time for giving and over the past few weeks locals have really given generously and have been incredibly supportive in their response to each of our appeals. Our work doesn't stop as we carry on into the New Year, but I want to say a special ‘Thank you’ to everyone who helped us in 2014, the businesses, the public, and of course the volunteer members of the club.’’
Already the organisation has confirmed it raised some €15,000 from Christmas supermarket collections, and in excess of €30,000 from the radio auction, with donations still coming in. Eimear McDonnell organisation is delighted with the response it has received. She says what is a small amount to one person can make a huge difference to the lives of others. In collaboration with St Vincent De Paul, Galway Simon, and local health and social services staff, The Lions Club has identified families in need, and this year in excess of 560 families are going to benefit. “I want to assure people that already much of the money received is winding its way to homes in the city. Over the past week members of the Lions Club have been knocking on doors and presenting people with food vouchers to help them in some small way.’’
For more information or to get involved check out www.galwaylionsclub.ie ,e mail [email protected] ,follow the organisation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/galwaylionsclub or ring Eimear on 086 8340726.
