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The Daily PollIT’S A TIME for giving, or so they say.
From the plight of homelessness in Ireland, to the thousands of refugeez displaced by conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere, there’s no shortage of deserving causes this year.
Many people make a point of putting some money, food or other items away to make a donation to a particular cause around this time of year.
But Christmas is an expensive and busy time of year, and people might be feeling a financial squeeze from inflation and the hike in energy prices.
So we’re asking… Are you volunteering or donating to charity this Christmas?
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I used donate to SVP years ago. Then they started delivering Christmas hampers around our neighbourhood. They skipped our house despite myself and wife both out of work at the time and gave one to my neighbour who had 2 jobs, a widows pension and no mortgage. She said she didn’t want it but they practically forced her to take it. I was so disgusted. I don’t really give to mainstream charities anymore. But would give to local animal shelter etc.
@Luke Ronan: forcing someone to take a hamper would not happen, we take it back and let the organisers know the person doesn’t need it. It will go to someone else.
SVdP are not mindreaders, they have no way of checking if a person is deserving or if their circumstances have changed since a previous referral.
if you are struggling – do reach out to SVdP and ask for help.
@Vic’s Burd: well I can assure you it did happen. The hampers were made up in the local club house and the local community council delivered them with SVP. It was a man on the community council that delivered her the parcel. At the time, my wife was on extended maternity to look after me as I had surgery for a tumour to be removed. The whole parish would have known the circumstances. Thankfully, we are both well back on our feet and earning but it was definitely a case of who you know not who needs it.
Just dropping toiletries, razors, etc into PMVT to give to residents in their hostels which I appreciated when I was in same place, I’m in my own home 3 years in January, thank God. But I will forever be grateful to housing first and the trust
Have no problem donating but then ya find out its paying someone’s pension
@david byrne: That does not happen, we have the strongest charity regulator in Europe now
@Gary Kearney: open ur eyes will ya who is doing anything for free fs
Where’s the option for “I donate regularly, not just at Christmas”?
@Steve O’Hara-Smith: next to you I m a vegan option
In the past 5 years I volunteer my time with local community services, by delivering hampers and dinners, to people living on their own or in hotels with only access to a microwave as the kitchens are closed.
Drive people on 25th to/from a Christmas Dinner/party event. Also pop in to check on some of them, bring a small gift and have a wee chat. I may be the only person they talk to on Christmas Day, or sometimes all Christmas…
Theres plenty of people willing to donate but we need more volunteers. Contact your local ALONE, SVdP, Community People in Need and offer your time this year instead.
If donating consider animal charities..dogstrust, local shelters etc. The dogstrust online shop is well worth a look for Christmas shopping while helping a great cause.
I donate blood instead. Too much iffy stuff going on with some charities. A lot of money not going where it should.
@Paul O Connor: That is long in the past and it was two charities and they were found out.
A donation to Share here in Cork, they do a fabulous job of looking after and out for the elderly who don’t have much.
I bought items from a charity’s Christmas gift shop, not sure if that counts. I give to a specific charity yearly, though not at Christmas.
Oh! And if you need a home for your donations please track down your nearest soup kitchen or food bank. If you’re still looking for more to help then try the Peter McVerry trust or the Simon Community. Thank you!
Will donate to several animal charities as they are all completely underfunded and bursting at the seams with neglected, abandoned and abused animals. Anyone worried about where charity donations go can donate directly to the veterinary practices they use to help pay off their vet bills.
As the very image of Santa himself with my real beard and my red suit, I’ll be doing all I can!
@Niall Sheridan: I can see the resemblance.
I donate every month, USC, PRSI, PAYE etc.
I donate stuff to my local men’s homeless shelter & women’s refuge centre a couple of times a year, not just at Christmas but I do pick up a few extras with my food shop in the run up to Christmas & divide equally between both places & drop off Christmas week which I’ve done every year for the last 15 years.
Don’t do it any other time of the year, why now? Hate this time of the year. False cheer and lousy presents.
@Rafa Condron: You must be great fun at the Christmas party!
@Gary Kearney: don’t go to parties
Dogs Trust.
Poor little things.
Get a dog. Keep it. Love it.
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