Christmas Present Appeal
Initiated 2017
Christmas Day for disadvantaged families can be extremely difficult. Donations from the public can make a real difference to bring smiles to the faces of children and their parents. Every December since 2018 we have asked the public to donate a shoebox containing presents suitable for disadvantaged children in Meath.
Shoe Box Appeals
Until their closure in Nov 2021, we supported the Inner City Helping Homeless Shoe Box Appeal delivering up to 1000 boxes to families in less fortunate circumstances around County Meath.
In 2021 we were significantly helped by homeless charity groups, businesses, Meath County Council, our local schools, community clubs, and sporting groups, together with the generous donations of people from both Johnstown, Navan, and further afield in County Meath.
The Christmas Appeal normally starts in November each year and the idea is really simple. Purchase items from the themes of Write & Read, Wash, Wear, and a Wow present. Pack them in a decorated box with a label on the outside to say the age and gender age deliver them to one of our collection points.
The staff at our local sports clubs, social groups, and schools have provided additional help by coordinating their own collections and storing them until our volunteers can deliver in time for Christmas.
Gallery
2023
Community Provide Local Support
Thanks to all who helped make Christmas a little more special for 72 homeless families and their 125 children across Meath today.
Thanks to Core Ireland Athboy's People Who Share Care Group Malones Navan Smiths SuperValu Loreto Secondary School, St. Michael's, Navan Versatile Bathrooms & Tiles Meath County Council. Fr Mc Verry HUB Sharon Lynch and the Meath Civil Defence.
Gingerbread Maker
What made this year's Christmas a little bit more special for the 72 families and the 125 children in emergency accommodation, was that people like Ciara Carroll a staff member with @smiths_supervalu_navan went the extra mile and personally baked 700 gingerbread men to add to the many treats and goodies given to the children.
2022
Sleepout Fundraiser
We would like to say a big thank you to Loreto Secondary School, St. Michael's, Navan Transition year students who raised over €1,600 through their sleepout event in support of our Navan's homeless.
We now have the support and backing of Core Ireland which will mean we are able to provide an improved outreach service to the most vulnerable people in our county.
Christmas Shoebox
Due to the closure last year of the ICHH charity we've been unable to advertise and collect donations from the public. We were delighted when Beaufort Secondary School made their own collection and asked us to help distribute them.
2021
2020
2019
Social Media Appeals
In 2021 our efforts were significantly boosted by a very generous donation that enabled us to purchase over 450 additional Wow gifts from a well-known local toy shop.
Update after the closure of our main charity support.
In 2020 the volume of donations was amazing.
Our deliveries are currently made via our volunteer network involving the Athboy People Who Share Care group, Direct Provision Mosney, and Meath County Council Community Services.
We have homes for Christmas Shoe Boxes. Contact us in December to lend a hand.
Sustainable Development Goals
This project has connections with the following categories:
