Christmas Giving Tree to bring festive joy to nursing home residents in Louth

Louth Volunteer Centre is making a heartfelt county-wide call for volunteers to take part in its newly launched Christmas Giving Tree initiative.

Inspired by the warmth and success of its long-running Cards of Care campaign, this programme invites volunteers to select the name of a nursing home resident and purchase a small Christmas gift chosen just for them.

This year, over 100 residents across Louth are already on Louth Volunteer Centre's Christmas list, and it says it warmly welcome individuals, families, community groups, organisations, and workplaces to get involved, to help bring joy and connection to some of the most isolated members of our community.

Christmas is often described as “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people — especially older adults living in nursing homes — it can also be a time of loneliness and sadness.

Louth Volunteer Centre says that here in Louth, we have a meaningful opportunity to remind our elderly community members that they are still valued, remembered, and part of our community’s festive spirit.

“The Christmas Giving Tree is a simple but powerful way for our community to show care and connection during the festive season. By choosing a resident’s name and gifting something thoughtful, volunteers help bring a moment of joy to those who may otherwise feel isolated at this time of year", said Olivia Conlon, Engagement and Operations Lead, Louth Volunteer Centre.

Taking part is simple, meaningful, and full of Christmas spirit. Volunteers can visit either of the Louth Volunteer Centre offices in Dundalk or Drogheda, where a special Christmas tree will be on display. Hanging from the branches are festive tags — each one representing a nursing home resident from one of the participating care homes: 

• Cúram Care Home Dundalk
• Áras Mhuire Nursing Facility
• St. Oliver Plunkett Community Unit 

Each tag includes the resident’s name. Volunteers simply choose a tag, purchase a small, thoughtful gift, and return it to our team. For those who cannot visit in person, Louth Volunteer Centre says it is happy to provide names remotely — just contact the centre and it will assist you.

Every participating resident will then receive their gift, along with a handwritten Card of Care, delivered by Louth Volunteer Centre's staff during the week before Christmas. These gestures, although small, bring immense comfort and joy to those who may otherwise feel forgotten during the festive season.

To take part in the Christmas Giving Tree, please contact: Louth Volunteer Centre - Dundalk — County Hall, Alphonsus Rd (by appointment). Call: 042 939 2934 / 086 043 1379; Drogheda — Bolton Street, A92 DKR0. Call: 041 980 9008. Email: [email protected] | Website: www.volunteerlouth.ie