WHO WOULD have thought there were so many unwanted Christmas presents in Dublin? An appeal by St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral for unwanted gifts has resulted in the donation of more than 20 van-loads of items.
Ill-fitting jumpers, DVDs, toiletries, children’s toys and the ubiquitous selection boxes were just some of the presents left beside the crib at the Pro-Cathedral since the appeal went out on St Stephen’s Day.
The appeal ended on Tuesday and the goods will now be distributed to shelters and projects supported by Crosscare, the Dublin diocese’s social care agency.
Fr Pat O’Donoghue, who started the campaign four years ago, said this year’s response was “incredible and amazing”.
He said there was a feeling that people may be more reluctant to part with gifts this year because of the economic downturn, but the opposite was the case. Some 18 van-loads of gifts were received last year while 20 were donated this year.
“This year people were bringing a bag with several things in it. I don’t recall that happening before,” he said.
He met a family who had travelled from Bettystown so their child could donate some toys.
An elderly woman knocked on his door offering a warm scarf and woollen stockings.
“There was definitely a feeling that people were carefully choosing gifts to donate. They weren’t just dumping them.”
He said people put so much time and effort and money into buying gifts so it may be some consolation to see that the presents were bringing solace to people who found themselves without a home or family.
Michael McDonagh of Crosscare said the level of goodwill from the Dublin community towards the people in need had been “absolutely wonderful”.
Last year Crosscare set up a temporary charity shop to sell the items which were left over.
“We raised close to €10,000 with that and it really helped the homeless services,” Mr McDonagh said.
He said it would take about two months to sort the items and begin distributing them before a decision could be taken on what to do with the leftover items.
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(Source: IT)