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A NEW INITIATIVE aims to ensure homeless people are remembered during the Christmas season.
People are being asked to donate small items or edible treats as part of Hampers for the Homeless.
Therese Cullen came up with the idea after years of making Christmas hampers for her family and friends.
She told TheJournal.ie she felt compelled to act as the homelessness crisis worsened this year, and after Storm Abigail signalled the beginning of harsher weather this winter.
Cullen is based in Tipperary, but has received offers of support from all over the country.
She said the ethos behind the initiative is “to make Christmas that little bit more special for those with so little, and show them that they’re not alone”.
Everyone deserves to feel a little bit special and not to feel so alone at Christmas time. I want to do something nice for people in need – even if it just gives them a couple of moments of joy.
Cullen is looking for people to donate items such as food, warm clothes and toiletries.
“I also want to put a miniature Christmas tree into each hamper because everyone deserves to have a Christmas of some shape or form,” she said.
“People have been brilliant, within hours of the Facebook page going live I had hundreds of offers of hampers from people all around the country and internationally from ex-pats.”
Cullen is now looking for businesses willing to act as drop-off and collection points, as well as for volunteers to help deliver the hampers on the weekend starting on Friday, 18 December.
The support has been incredible and together I think we’re going to be able to do something really special this Christmas.
Cullen said she is not looking for monetary donations as “people have a huge amount of pressures on them financially at this time of year”.
“Instead, if there’s an item or a few items which you have that you would like to donate – from an un-used jar of hand cream to a nice bar of chocolate, it would be greatly appreciated.”
People who wish to donate, can get more information on Facebook or by emailing hampersforthehomeless@gmail.com.
Great idea!! all efforts help – make sure you catch Mr.Kenny on pitching in !
Brilliant idea
What a kind act. Best wishes with your hampers. Who cares if this is new or not. What you are doing will go a long way in helping those with no place to call home. Even for a short while if it can bring a smile and comfort it makes your work worthwhile. You are making a difference.
Thanks KK and debco, the support has been fantastic! Donna and Diane, I know there’s lots of people who do fantastic work for the homeless not just Christmas but all around the year, I just thought I’d do something myself this year and the idea has snowballed so only new to me I guess! Great to hear you’ve been making hampers for the homeless for years – if you’ve any tips or advice I’d love to hear them, you can send me a message on the Facebook page or if you wanted to join up in any way with your own initiatives that would be great too. Thanks again! Therese
Therese. Sorry I was short with my reply. Good luck with it.
Hey T – anytime !! – my suggestion would have your receipts for creating these hampers sent to Mr. Kenny as a Tax Deduction for you. Good luck with your endeavours and hope to maybe meet up in the near future !
Oh bah humbug both of you,can you not just say fair play without getting your snotty “it’s hardly a new idea” dig in?
It’s hardly a new initiative as it’s done every christmas by different groups. I will be donating in my own county.
I agree. Myself and a friend have been doing this the last few years. The response we get is amazing. We don’t except perishable goods just warm items of clothing and toiletries. Good luck to this lady but its hardly a new idea
This is just a new idea for Therese Cullen. Best of luck to her and her very worthy efforts. Like so many before her and indeed to come after her the fulfillment some people get in helping others far out weighs anything they give. It’s all about having the best of intentions.Am sure Therese only wants all this publicity in order to further the needs of homeless people….it’s about the good we do not the do gooders as such.
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