Everyone knows it’s better to give than receive, but some are better at it than others – and this festive season, volunteers up and down the country will be giving their time to ensure people in need have the best Christmas possible.
Ruth Garvey-Williams from Buncrana in Donegal is a communications consultant by trade but over the Christmas period, she will be rolling up her sleeves and helping deliver presents and serve a festive feast to people who are elderly or living alone in the area.
“I volunteer at The Exchange community centre in Inishowen,” she says. “We will start on the morning of the 23rd of December getting the food ready and finish up on the evening of 25th. On Christmas Eve we deliver dinners and gifts across the Inishowen peninsula to people who live just a bit too far out to make it to the dinner on Christmas Day.
“Then the next day, we host a meal where people can come and enjoy it together. We also deliver dinners to those in the Buncrana area who are unable to make it to the centre; last year, we made about 150 dinners across the two days with the support of about 30 volunteers.”
The mother of two says the three-day operation, which she started with a friend in 2014, wouldn’t be possible without the support of volunteers, local businesses and the wider community.
“Volunteers do everything from cook, clean, deliver dinners, pick people up and drop them home from the centre,” she says. “We have two over-70s who come every year and play music throughout the day and we, the volunteers, also sit down to enjoy a dinner, so everyone eats together. It’s like having a big extended family enjoying good food together.
“This is my Christmas – it’s my favourite day of the year and the whole family helps out. We have a family breakfast in the morning and open presents when we get home in the evening. But our Christmas dinner is the one we share with everyone in The Exchange and it’s very special.”
Patricia Lynch will also be playing a similar role on Christmas Day. Over in Meath, Festive Friends reach out to people living alone and bring them a special dinner, prepared by J&M Meals in Navan.
“We work with other organisations like Alone, Meals on Wheels or St Vincent de Paul and use local knowledge to learn about who might benefit from one of our meals and visits – and we’re funded by DRCD and the Lotto.
“It’s all about having people out and active and connected to their communities. I just want to make sure we are looking out for our neighbours. You don’t know who needs a smile.”
Amy Woods, head of advocacy and engagement at Volunteer Ireland, agrees, saying that while Christmas is a wonderful time to volunteer and it’s encouraging to see so many people helping others in their community over the festive season, it would be great if it continued throughout the year.
“There are so many different ways to give back. The most important thing is to find something you’re passionate about and that suits your time and interests,” she said.
For more information visit www.volunteer.ie
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