Portarlington Lions Club open for Christmas donation requests

Families and individuals in and around Portarlington finding themselves in financial distress this Christmas are being offered a helping hand.

Portarlington Lions Club are again holding their annual Christmas appeal, which includes the gathering of private messages asking for help.

The letters can be left in a box at Portarlington Credit Union, and are also taken in at Whelan Electrical on Main Street.

Joey Kennedy, Club President, spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live about this year's efforts by their volunteer members.

"It can be harder for people to know about our appeal. Younger families might not know. 

"Most of the requests we get are for food and heating costs. It could be from an older woman living alone, or a parent of a young family who need to put food on the table. We usually give food vouchers for supermarkets so they can choose their own groceries. 

"On the last day of the appeal, we gather up the messages and three people read through them, dividing them up and making sure we don't know the people personally. Then we go and meet them and chat with them, and a small sub committee then decides what to give. All the letters are then destroyed for confidentiality reasons," the Lions president explains.

He wants to get the message out that there is no shame in seeking help.

"People get fierce embarrassed, there's no need. We're here to help so please reach out," he said.

They cover an area of about 12,000 people, including the town itself, and surrounding rural areas out to Killenard, Emo, Garryhinch and Gracefield.

The club will fund their donations with the money gathered in local bucket collections. The 2024 Portarlington Lions club Christmas collection will be taking place in both Centra Main street,  and Supervalu on Friday and Saturday, December 20 and 21.

There are some simple steps to follow for anyone asking for assistance. Requests must be made in writing, by no later than Tuesday, December 17. They must include a phone number and an address. 

Joey Kennedy is grateful for all the help that makes their annual Christmas project possible.

"I'd like to thank everyone for their continued support, and to thank the committee for their hard work," he said.