Crosscare, the Catholic agency responding to the needs of people on the margins of society, has appealed to families not to buy gifts for teachers this Christmas, but rather to make donation to their work.
In return, children can download a specially designed Thank You Teacher Card from their website and add their own personal message.
“Crosscare is aware that some schools have asked families not to buy gifts for teachers this Christmas, as resources become more constrained. In that spirit we are asking parents instead to say thanks to teachers by supporting our worthy cause and helping those less fortunate,” said Crosscare Director Conor Hickey.
According to Mr Hickey, the money raised through the Thank Your Teacher Card appeal will make a great difference to the lives of many. “For example, €3 can be used to buy a three course meal in any of the Crosscare Food Centers located around the city, €10 provides a hospitality pack which includes a tooth brush, shampoo, shower, hot meal, towel and clean clothes for a homeless person and €35 supports one young person for a week in Youth Aftercare Support.”
Five years ago, Crosscare were providing 80,000 meals a year to the homeless or those in social poverty. Today that has risen to 200,000 meals a year, Michael Mc Donagh from Crosscare told ciNews.
“We are finding it very hard to cope. There has been increased demand in all areas. People are under pressure. Lots of people are becoming homeless. There are more pressures on families, who are coming for counselling and we are seeing more drug use. It is a chaotic stage and agencies like Crosscare have to stand up and address their needs.”
Last year was the first time the agency ran the ‘thank you teacher’ campaign both at Christmas and in June. Through it they raised €6,000.
Placed against their overall spend of €4 million, it seems little, but Mr Mc Donagh says everything helps.
Crosscare runs thirty programmes, including homeless shelters for men, women and children, food initiatives and teen counselling. Their food centres provide three course meals to the public for €3.00, and meals on wheels to a number of inner city schools.
It also works with immigrants and runs a counselling service.
The organisation employs close to 200 staff.
Parents can support the campaign by logging on to www.crosscare.ie and downloading the special gift for teachers.