Volunteering on Christmas Day

lushballs

I would like to do some volunteer work on Christmas Day. Does anyone have experience of doing this or know of agencies who would need a hand?

figs86

there are several homeless charities that are active on christmas day. i think its focus ireland that runs a soup kitchen around the RDS on christmas day. they are the ones that need to be active on christmas day as it's freezing and there's nowhere for people to eat or shelter etc as everywhere is shut. hope it works out for you, fair play.

condra

Would anyone know of a Northside equivalent?

Reesy

womoma wrote: »

Would anyone know of a Northside equivalent?

I think you might try www.volunteering.ie - they did not reply to my email but you may have better luck. I registered with them but have nothing concrete. I also wrote to the knights of columbanus as I understand they are involved with a soup kitchen at the RDS on Christmas day, but again, no reply.

Good luck, & pl post here if you get anywhere!

LolaLuv

Hey OP, have you had any luck? I'd like to volunteer on Christmas as well.

Is the RDS the big concert hall in Ballsbridge?

naoisem

Hi guys,

I know you were looking for northside originally but the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Day Lunch Association are looking for help 01-280 4776 / 086 344 2533 or christmas day or for the couple of days beforehand.

They've been doing this for years.

n

LolaLuv

naoisem wrote: »

Hi guys,

I know you were looking for northside originally but the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Day Lunch Association are looking for help 01-280 4776 / 086 344 2533 or christmas day or for the couple of days beforehand.

They've been doing this for years.

n

Thanks! Do the buses/LUAS run on Christmas?

The Real B-man

PillyPen wrote: »

Thanks! Do the buses/LUAS run on Christmas?

No.

LolaLuv

I e-mailed Focus Ireland and they said they're all staffed for Christmas Day, but sent along this info:


However, the Knights of St Columbanus run a Christmas dinner in the RDS on Christmas Day and they may need volunteers (P 01 6761835 or email koc@iol.ie). Also, the Simon Community look for volunteers for their Soup Run and can be contacted at aoifepatterson@dubsimon.ie or phone (01) 8895800.

Edit: I got a hold of the St. Columbanus folks, and they said anyone's welcome to show up, at the RDS Simmons Court Entrance from 10:30 on! (Christmas day, obviously).

Poutbutton

Hi Lushballs

have a look at the site below they have units all over Ireland and plenty in Dublin. They do all sorts as you will see but on Christmas day certain units collect elderly or unwell people who reside in hospitals or convalescent homes and transport them home for the day or even just for a few hours, to enjoy christmas with their families. Volunteers drive and assist with passengers in their vehicles, drop them home and come back later to return them to their hospital or care home. It's quite late now as rosters will be already organised but you may still have a chance to help out if you can make contact using the site! Good luck & Happy Christmas

http://orderofmalta.ie/

They welcome volunteers all year round. :cool:

tampopo

Yeah, I volunteered one Christmas Day with my then girlfriend (jewish, so she wasn't bothered by the big day). I'll never do it again. Congrats to all that do/did last Christmas

CPM74

Where to volunteering on Christmas Day??
Would like to volunteer for christmas dinner for the homeless.
But can only find infomation for the RDS Dublin, would perfer to do this locally (Midland Area). Does anyone know if there is such a service?? Thanks

Auroara

Try www.volunteer.ie then check your local office- has loads of organisations looking for help with various volunteering activity. You could also get in touch with your local St Vincent de Paul office or Simon community-they both have branches based in Athlone. Or possibly your local parish priest might know of something more local.

cailinoBAC

How about New Year's Eve? Have no plans at the moment and I'm not a big fan of it all...so if anywhere in Dublin needed volunteers I'd think of it.

SexyD4Lady

I've tried Focus and SVP who have yet to get back to me, Threshold, and two other homeless charities as well as the Knights of St Colmbanus dinner in the RDS. Is there NOWHERE that needs volunteers?

star gazer

Did you try the Simon Community? Dublin Simon
It may be difficult to volunteer for just christmas day on it's own but your intentions are very laudable all the same. Has it got to the stage that people might have to book in to volunteer on Christmas day a year in advance?

SexyD4Lady

Tried them, they were my first phonecall. And I think that applying well in advance is the way it's gone! Pity, I really really want to do it and seem to be having no luck whatsoever. If no charities need official help, I'll mosey into town myself with food and blankets.

star gazer

Dun Laoghaire try that maybe?
Looks like a good spot to see other volunteering opportunities in future also
Volunteeringireland.ie

kadder

Most charities have their own staff/volunteers who work with them all year round and are rostered for Christmas Day. It's difficult enough to work in many of the hostels/shelters etc... without sometimes being inundated by people wishing to give just one day per year.

Volunteering in many of these charities require training etc.. to deal with the particular clientele they are working with and so it's not suitable for people who just want to do something for one day in the year.

I'd suggest people look at giving a gift all year round and volunteer with these charities throughout the year. Volunteering isn't just for one day!

Most of time it'd be harder on the staff of various shelters etc.. to try and oversee inexperienced volunteers for a day when they're trying to get on with their own work.

byrno_71

I was in touch with the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Day Lunch Association and they said thanks, but they have all their volunteer spots filled already for 2012...