The Archdiocese of Dublin is once again this year organising a
collection of unwanted Christmas presents in aid of the city’s homeless.
In their appeal, they have asked that if you have more Christmas
jumpers than you have time to wear, that the staff at Dublin’s Pro
cathedral are asking you to put unwanted gifts to good use, by donating
them to the city’s homeless people.
Already on St. Stephen’s Day, the diocese reports that people have been leaving gifts already.
This is the sixth year that the staff at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral have
arranged this collection and once again, they are asking for unwanted
DVD,’s jumpers, toiletries, toys and other excess gifts.
These will be given to Crosscare, who will distribute them to people
most in need throughout 2011 and use them as Christmas gifts for people
who may never receive one, this time next year.
If the appeal is as successful as it has been in previous years,
Crosscare will sell surplus gifts and use the monies raised in their
homeless shelters and services around Dublin.
Fr Pat O’ Donoghue from the Pro Cathedral said that the response to
the appeal for unwanted gifts was growing year by year, despite current
economic circumstances.
Last year the response was particularly
generous and they are hoping that people will be as thoughtful this year
as the most marginalised people in the city are affected by the
downturn more than most.
Fr. O Donoghue said, ““We are hoping that, even despite terrible
weather conditions, people will make the effort to bring their unwanted
gifts to the crib in the Pro-Cathedral. This year more than ever, we
know they will make a big difference.”
Unwanted gifts can be left at the crib up until the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6.
SIC: CIN/IE