by Michael Lockhart
DONEGAL Christmas Toy Appeal is looking for volunteers to be matched as a Secret Santa with a local child this Christmas.
For 30 years, Lifestart Services, a non profit based in Newtowncunningham, has worked with families across Donegal delivering a wide variety of programmes to help families.
As well as family and parenting support for all families in Donegal, Lifestart also offers support for many families who are experiencing poverty.
Christmas can be a particularly tough time of year for families who are struggling, and this is where the Donegal Toy Appeal comes in.
Volunteer Secret Santa’s sign up for the Christmas Toy Appeal and are matched with a child.
Each secret Santa is given the child’s age and some anonymous information on them.
They are recommended to spend €50-€70 on the child’s gifts.
Lifestart will be collecting gifts from collection points across Donegal in late November and distributing them in time for Christmas to the families.
Louise McCormack, Volunteer with Donegal Christmas Toy Appeal said: “Running the Donegal Toy appeal in partnership with Lifestart Services, who are a lifeline for so many families in Donegal for over 30 years now, is one of the most rewarding projects to volunteer with.
“The generosity of the people who sign up for this appeal is incredible.”
“They know only that the child is from a Donegal family experiencing poverty, along with the child’s age, gender and a few details on their interests, and they go and take the time to put together some thoughtful gifts to make that child’s Christmas morning.
“We have volunteers who are signed up for their third year now, and make the appeal part of their own families Christmas traditions.
“It’s not just about toys and consumerism, we encourage buying toys that have education value for these kids. It’s more than toys, it’s about the spirit of Christmas.
“The reality is that you don’t know what card life will deal you in the future, but you know that you live in a county where people look after each other when they need that support, that’s the Donegal Christmas spirit.”
Make someone’s Christmas and sign up to be a Secret Santa today by emailing ChristmasToyAppealDonegal@gmail.com.
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