By Róise Collins
WITH Christmas just around the corner many of us are panicking about picking the perfect present or the dreaded untangling of the Christmas lights, but in Letterkenny volunteers are busy making preparations to feed hundreds of people across Donegal on December 25.
Kathy O’Connor who works as a life coach and counsellor is one of the organisers of the annual Christmas day dinner in Conwal Parish Hall.
She explained that their goal is to help break through isolation and loneliness felt by many on Christmas day.
The Letterkenny woman has been involved in this beloved tradition since it started 19 years ago in the local community centre.
“We had four the first year. We had 10 the second year. We had 15 the third year and then it just grew from there,” she told the Donegal News.
They now offer a Christmas dinner to over 180 people living in isolation across the county, from Burtonport to Bundoran.
As well as the sit down dinner they offer a delivery service for those living in Letterkenny and the surrounding areas and a meal on a plate service, if they are living too far outside of Letterkenny.
“If a name comes in and they are too far outside of Letterkenny, we will try to get somebody in the area to cook a meal and deliver it instead,” she said.
They also offer a delivery service on New Year’s Day.
The Annual Christmas Day Dinner wouldn’t be possible without the help of almost 40 local volunteers and the support of local businesses.
“We have a core group of volunteers who have been there from the very beginning, as well as new volunteers every year.
“From day one the Christmas Day Dinner has been supported by the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, who put out a request to local businesses of what supplies are needed.
“Everything we need is supplied by local businesses,” she said.
“A big thanks to everybody that supports us every year. Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and the Conwal Parish Hall and the Volunteer Centre, who help organise volunteers.”
They cut-off date for volunteers this Christmas has already passed, however they are still looking for drivers to deliver meals.
If you would like to volunteer as a driver, please contact Kathy on 0868676565 or via the Annual Christmas Day Dinner Facebook page.
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