Lions Club raises €45,000 for Galway’s needy

Galway Lions Club raised in excess of €45,000 for needy families in Galway through two major fundraising ventures before Christmas.

“It is often said that Christmas is a time for giving and over the past few weeks the people of Galway have really given generously and have been incredibly supportive in their response to each of our appeals,” said Galway Lions President, Eimear McDonnell.

For the Galway Lions Club, the weeks leading up to Christmas were their busiest time with members fundraising outside supermarkets; encouraging businesses to donate items for the Radio Auction; finding homes for Teddies as part of a Christmas Draw; and then quietly visiting people in their homes.

The Lions Club have confirmed that they raised some €15,000 from the supermarket collections, and in excess of €30,000 was raised on the day from the Radio Auction on Galway Bay fm with donations still coming in.

“We are so pleased with the response we have received and I want to assure people that already much of the money received has wended its way to homes in the city.”

In the run-up to Christmas, members of the Lions Club had been knocking on doors and presenting people with food vouchers to help them in some small way.

In collaboration with SVP, Simon, and local Health and Social Services staff, Galway Lions Club have identified families in need and this year in excess of 560 families will have benefited.

“One of the highlights of the Galway Lions year is the visit of Santa to special needs children at St Josephs and the John Paul Centre,” said Ms McDonnell.

“It’s a tradition which goes back many years. To watch the joy on the faces of the children when Santa enters the room is a real privilege for us and one which is made possible by the donations we receive”.

Santa made a flying visit to the schools and gave presents to just over a 100 children before continuing his preparations for Christmas.

“Our work doesn’t stop as we carry on into the New Year,” said Eimear, ”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.”

The Galway Lions Club, which has been serving Galway for 40 years, has 60 members and meets on the second Monday of the month at 8pm in the Ardilaun Hotel. Lions Clubs are a group of men and women who volunteer their time to try and improve the quality of lives of their local community.

For more information or to get involved check out www.galwaylionsclub.ie