Play right cards for homeless
They are supporting the Simon Communities House of Cards Appeal, which encourages employers to make a donation to the organisation rather than sending corporate cards to clients and suppliers.
The Simon Community groups in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Dundalk will use the funds raised for emergency services to provide food, warmth and shelter for those sleeping rough in the country’s cities and towns.
It is estimated around 5,500 people have no place to call home, despite the healthy state of the economy.
House of Cards Appeal coordinator Katherine Ayres said the programme was a crucial element of Simon’s fundraising efforts.
“Thousands of companies around the country will be sending Christmas cards to clients, suppliers and business contacts in the coming weeks.
“Once again, we ask them to reconsider sending cards and donating the money that would have been spent to Simon,” she said.
“Every donation counts and the money contributed goes towards providing people who are homeless with essentials like food, support and warm beds,” said Ms Ayres.
As well as frontline delivery of service to those on the streets, the Simon Communities also arrange emergency accommodation and help people make the transition to independent living.
A target of 200 participating companies has been set for this year with the hope of raising €500,000.
Any company interested in signing up before the closing date tomorrow can call the Dublin Simon Community at 01 6715551.
This is the sixth year of the appeal, which has helped raise more than €2 million for services helping the homeless.
The Simon Communities have been supporting homeless people all over Ireland since 1969, when the first community was founded by a group of students from Trinity College in Dublin.
