This week is SVP Week and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is appealing for direct financial support from individuals and organisations and encouraging participation in the many fund-raising activities which are being held throughgout the country
“In addition to working to help victims of the current flooding we estimate that we will be making around 100,000 home visits to offer assistance to families in need in the run-up to Christmas”, said SVP National President, Mairead Bushnell. “The fund-raising in SVP Week, culminating in a national Church Gate Collections on SVP Sunday,13th December, is vital for us”, she said.
Contributions to the SVP Annual Appeal can be made by calling 01 8386990 or one of the Regional Offices. Or log on to www.svp.ie and click on “Donate Now” or send a cheque to PO Box 1234 Dublin 1.
Many organisations are providing support for the SVP on a national level including a range of newspapers and radio programmes. Arnotts has selected the SVP as one of six charities to be supported by a €20 charity voucher to given to customers with every purchase over €100 on a key shopping day, 8th December. This voucher can then be used to donate to a charity of their choice.
Byrne’s World of Wonder toy stores, the pregnancy and parenting resource website Eumom.ie, Pfizer Healthcare Ireland and ESB Customer Supply are also heavily involved in the fund-raising campaign.
Another major initiative is the SVP Giving Tree campaign which is a big success in companies, homes and stores throughout the country. The Giving Tree campaign asks people to buy a gift for someone who may not get one otherwise this Christmas, to be distributed by SVP volunteers. Giving Trees will be positioned in all cinemas showing ‘A Christmas Carol’ throughout Ireland. National Irish Bank staff across the country are taking up the Giving Tree and buying gifts for those who need it most. SVP is National Irish Bank’s Charity Partner in 2009.
For generations people in need in Ireland have turned to the St. Vincent de Paul and the current response to appeals for help by victims of the floods is no different.
SVP volunteers in all of the areas effected have been out helping flood victims. Telephones in the national and regional offices were deluged with calls from people offering help by way of clothing, bedding and money. Collection depots were set up in Athlone and Cork. Flood relief bank accounts were opened. And the SVP came together with many local groups and statutary authorities to help co-ordinate and provide whatever help was needed.
SVP National President Mairead Bushnell said that the generous response to those in need has been very welcome and demonstrates the positive depth of community spirit in the country,
The SVP support of flood victims will continue into the new year in some regions. But for volunteers in most of the country it is time to prepare for the 100,000 home visits which the SVP volunteers expect to make between now and Christmas Day.
This year the SVP is already experiencing an increased demand for help, up almost 30% in some parts of the country, with one in four calls from people new to the Society. With the withdrawal of the Christmas Bonus many families already struggling will be under extreme pressure in the coming weeks.
“We are also fearful that the forthcoming budget will add to the difficulties being experienced by the most vulnerable in our society and are appealing to the Irish people to support our work”.
Ms Bushnell said that the services provided by the SVP cost over €1m per week with €27m spent on direct assistance to individuals and families. Of this the SVP provide €9.4m on direct financial support, €6.1m on food, €3.8m on education support and €3.8m on helping people with their energy bills.
Largest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of 9,500 volunteers throughout the country is supported by professional staff working for social justice and the creation of a more just and caring nation.
This unique network provides practical support to those experiencing poverty and social exclusion by providing a wide range of services to people in need.
The volunteers working throughout almost 1,200 Conferences, the basic unit of SVP, are involved in visitations to homes, hospitals and prisons and helping in projects managed by the SVP including; shops (over 100 throughout Ireland), Hostels for the Homeless, Social Housing Projects, Resource Centres, Holiday Homes, Youth Clubs, Pre-school creches and the Dublin Seaman’s Club.