The spirit of giving was on full display this week as Maple Group officially presented the Donegal Women’s Centre with hundreds of items for care packages collected through their Maple Christmas Charity Drive supporting women and children in need across Donegal.
Throughout the festive season, customers and staff at Maple convenience stores in Derrybeg, Carrigart, Castlefinn, Falcarragh, Burtonport, Ballyliffin, and Moville came together to donate essential items for women and families experiencing hardship.
The initiative, titled “Care Packages for Donegal Women in Need”, asked the community to contribute basic hygiene and baby care products such as toiletries, sanitary items, nappies, wipes, and shampoo, simple necessities that can make a huge difference to women and mothers struggling financially or in crisis.
At the handover, Brian Murphy, Group Manager of Maple Group, said the response from the public had been overwhelming, “We are so proud to present these care package items to the Donegal Women’s Centre on behalf of our customers and staff. The generosity shown across Donegal has been incredible. Nobody should have to go without basic care essentials, yet for many women and mothers, that’s the reality. This campaign was about dignity, compassion, and reminding women and children that they matter. At Maple, we believe community is everything, and this is our way of giving back to the people who support us all year round.”
The Donegal Women’s Centre, which has been a cornerstone of support for women in Donegal for over 30 years, provides a safe, confidential, and supportive environment for women of all backgrounds. Their services include community counselling, domestic abuse trauma counselling, psychotherapy, sexual health services, and advocacy.
The team at the Centre will now co ordinate the distribution of the care packages directly to women and families in need across the county.
Mary Herlihy, Manager of Donegal Women’s Centre, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the Maple Group and to everyone who contributed, “We see the daily struggles women face, mothers trying to stretch every cent to care for their families, women rebuilding after trauma, and those simply trying to get by. These care packages will make a real and immediate difference, not only providing practical support but also reminding women that their community cares. We are so grateful to Arthur McMahon, Brian Murphy and the entire Maple team for their compassion and generosity.”
The presentation marked a moment of community solidarity and kindness, a reminder of what can be achieved when local businesses and people come together to help others.
Brian Murphy added, “The Donegal Women’s Centre does incredible work supporting women and families across the county. To be able to support that work in a tangible way this Christmas has been an honour for everyone at Maple. A sincere thank you to our customers, our store teams, and the Donegal Women’s Centre for all they do.”
