COMMUNITY HELP BOARD: Our volunteering heroes from Athboy to Walterstown
Compiled by Aine Faherty
aine.faherty@meathchronicle.ie
ATHBOY
People who Share Group Continue Work
Athboy People who Share Care Group in conjunction with local businesses are feeding approximately 40 families a week in Meath who are in food poverty. They are also sending food to and supplies to the homeless in Dublin. They normally undertake soup runs to the homeless in Dublin but this has had to be suspended for now.
BALLINLOUGH
Members of Ballinlough GFC are available to offer their services freely to anyone in our community who require it, including shopping, pharmacy collections, fuel collections or any other general errands. Contact Susan on (087) 663 1737 or (087) 0528633, through our Club Facebook page at Ballinlough GFC, or by email at pro.ballinlough.meath@gaa.ie
DROGHEDA
Donations from Credit Unions
With the surging demand on charities and the added collapse of “normal” fundraising for many charities in our areas, Drogheda Credit Union’s branches have once again given their support to make generous donations to local charities in Trim, East Meath Drogheda and Dunleer.
In the Credit Union Spirit, Chairperson Geraldine Gilsenan says, “It’s important for us all to help and support those who need it most. The Credit Union movement is known for its compassion and understanding to those who need it most and now is no different. Our branches in Trim, East Meath, Drogheda and Dunleer are delighted to be able to help our local areas by doing what we can.” Donations have been made to St. Vincent De Paul, Meals on Wheels, Drogheda District for Older People, The Lourdes Hospital Front Line Workers, The Womens Rescue, East Meath Hospice, Trim Parish Centre, First Responders, local GAA clubs who are helping with Covid-19 action, and many more. All donations have been to directly help those effected by Covid-19.
For all your Drogheda Credit Union updates and revised opening hours during Covid-19 please visit www.droghedacu.ie/covid19.
DUNBOYNE
Newspaper Delivery Service
Starting Monday 6th April, in conjunction with Ralph’s Eurospar Dunboyne, Dunboyne Friends of the Elderly will offer a newspaper delivery service free of charge to those in the community who are self-isolating or cocooning in keeping with current HSE guidelines.
Phone (01) 825 5977 to prepay for a newspaper of choice and then contact Dunboyne Friends of the Elderly on (083) 170 6569 and a Dunboyne Support Group will deliver to your door.
St Peter’s GAA Help
St Peter’s GAA Club Dunboyne has formed a group of volunteers to assist with deliveries of groceries, medicines and other essential items to those within the community who, for whatever reason, are not able to get out about their business.
It would be grateful to hear from others within the GAA family who would be in a position to help. If anyone can lend a hand, contact Gus Lynch on (087) 285 6749, or Ronán O'Doherty on (087) 223 1061.
DUNDERRY
Unwanted Clothing Collection
Dunderry GAA, LGFA and Camogie Club are urging households to bag up any unwanted clothing, shoes, belts and bags (no bedding or towels please) and keep them for the club as it hopes to have a clothing recycling day to raise funds once the present situation has passed.
Parish Website Set-up
With the arrival of the Coronavirus Covid-19 to Ireland and the suspension of all Masses in parishes, Dunderry parish has set up its own website in order to bring mass to its parishioners. It will broadcast mass live weekdays at 9.30am, weekends Vigil Mass at 6pm on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 11am. Anniversary masses can still be booked through the sacristan.
For Holy week, There will be mass on Holy Thursday broadcast at 7.30pm, Stations of the Cross at 3pm on Good Friday, Mass on Holy Saturday is a vigil mass at 6pm, and Easter Sunday mass will be at 11am. The website is a lovely addition to Dunderry Parish. Well done to all involved.
GIBBSTOWN
Delivery Service of Groceries for Vulnerable
Cumann Bhulf Tón hopes that all its members, supporters and wider community are keeping safe in these troubled times. It would ask every one to look to the left and right of where they live and ensure that their neighbours are all safe and been looked after for all their needs at this time.
Cumann Bhulf Tón would also like to bring to people’s attention that the main shopping outlets in the parish have all set up a help or delivery service free of charge for those who cannot leave their home or are worried about doing so.
If anyone is aware of any sick or elderly neighbour who is in need of anything from Doughty's in Wilkinstown, Joe's Emo/XL shop in Kilberry or An Stór in Baile Ghib then they should contact Larry on (087) 982 5022 or any committee member, or contact the shops directly on the following numbers. Brendan Doughty on (046) 905 4610, Joe in Emo Kilberry on (046) 902 2242 or Darina in An Stór on (086) 193 2806 or (086) 380 9845. While "Social Distancing" is now the "BUZZ" word, it is also the time that communities must all stand together to help the most vulnerable in the community. If anyone can assist with deliveries or collections they should contact any of the numbers above also.
KILDALKEY
Bring a book or game, leave a book or game
The Village Inn Kildalkey showcased an initiative on Monday 6th April that required the public’s co-operation to work. Anyone with any old books, jigsaws or board games was invited to drop them off in the beer garden (at the back of the pub). As they will need to be left for 48 hours before collection, people can go along on Wednesday 8th April and pick up anything that might be of interest to them. All the stuff left on Monday will be available for people to take. People are asked to have a look without touching and pick whichever ones their family would enjoy.
Items can also be dropped off (into a separate box) on Wednesday but will also need 48hrs before swapping. There will be spray and wipes for everyone to use while dropping or collecting stuff.
We will use our beer garden (at the back of the pub) as a drop off and collection point. Because the drop off and collection will be unmanned, HSE recommendations on social distancing should be adhered to.
LONGWOOD
Macra on Hand to Help
During this difficult time members of Longwood/Killyon Macra would like to wish everybody good health and are urging people to come together whilst at a distance to help the most vulnerable in society. With that being said its members are there for anybody who needs help collecting shopping, prescriptions etc and are asked not to hesitate to contact them via Facebook or message Karl at (085) 705 7020.
NAVAN
Alzheimer’s Easter Raffle Postponed
The Meath Branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's Easter Raffle, that was due to take place on the 4th April was postponed until the covid-19 restrictions are over. The organisation wishes all well and to stay safe.
KILTALE
Men’s Shed
Kiltale Hurling and Camogie Club are looking to establish a Men’s Shed in Kiltale following the Covid-19 restrictions. If anyone is interested in the concept they should contact Stephen on (086) 830 3097 or Paddy on (086) 828 2458.
MOYNALVEY
Masses via Web
All masses from Moynalvey Kiltale Parish can be viewed live on the website by clicking on the webcam link. Masses can also be viewed on the Facebook page, which doesn’t tend to be as reliable.
MULLAGH
Local Masses on Radio
Masses will be broadcast throughout the week from Mullagh Church including mass on Holy Thursday at 8pm, Good Friday celebrations at 3pm and 6pm, Stations of the Cross on Holy Saturday and mass on Easter Sunday will be broadcast on radio at 87.6fm.
Palm Wreaths on Doors
Members of the community of Mullagh made and hung Palm wreaths on their doors as a sign of Hope in these difficult and challenging times.
NOBBER
Go Fund Me Cancer Support Group
Nobber Cancer Support Group hopes that all are staying safe out there and following protocol. The service remains very much in use at the moment and it us delighted to be getting clients who need their treatment to their appointments in these uncertain times with its team of fantastic volunteers.
It has set up a gofundme page as any organised fundraisers have been put off due to Covid-19. So if anyone can spare a little, the group would greatly appreciate it. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/nobber-cancer-support-group…
RATOATH
Community Together Help
Community Together is a small group of Ratoath residents who are behind the successful Community Café programme aimed at promoting positive mental health discussion within the community.
Many people are isolated and feel very alone due to health issues, living in rural areas, being less mobile, looking after young children or being a carer. In normal circumstances, the Community Together Café encourages all ages to come together for a cuppa, cake and a chat, to connect with other people and boost each other’s mental health.
During the Covid-19 crisis our Community Together Café is on hold but we are hoping to identify and highlight other ways that we can support each other in our local communities. To get in touch email community together2020@gmail.com.
The group is also compiling a database of people based in Ratoath, Dunshaughlin, Kilbride & Skryne who would like to help as a backup to current services. If anyone would like to help they should fill out the form on the group’s website https://www.communitytogether2020.com/.
SKRYNE
Community Support group
Skryne GFC joined forces with the Active First Responders a few weeks back to form the local Covid-19 Community Support volunteer group to help local people most in need however they can in these restricted times. Since then, the GAA has partnered with SuperValu and Centra to help keep the most vulnerable of society well stocked up with essentials to get through these difficult times.
As part of the “Club Together” initiative, Skryne GFC has partnered with SuperValu Johnstown which will contact the Covid-19 Community Support group to assist with the delivery of groceries to the more vulnerable in the parish.
This will be a drop and go service to ensure all physical distancing guidelines set out by the HSE will be adhered to all times.
This could be a great help to the more isolated in the parish so, people are asked to spread the message out to all local contacts that may require the service or may know someone who does. The service will be up and running shortly with details advertised on all Skryne GFC social media platforms.
Covid-19 Community Support group members are: Cormac Grendon (087) 940 9677; Ross Philips (087) 979 8822; Des Manning (086) 058 4116; Stephen Naughton (087) 222 5572; Niall Muldoon (085) 209 1801; Sean O’Regan (086) 814
5169; Christy O’Connor (086) 285 4057; Declan Smyth (087) 250 498; A.F.R. 9 am - 6pm, (086) 885 3713. Contact any of these number for further information or assistance.
SLANE
Honesty Box for Fresh Produce
A lovely initiative by Rock Farm Slane which has an Honesty Box with lots of fresh produce available in it from eggs, mixed salad, spinach, large leaf rocket, rhubarb and chive plants ready for planning. The honesty box can be found at Eircode C15 HF59 and is being re-filled daily. Rock Farm can be contacted directly via social media if people require something in particular. Great initiative to avoid queuing in shopping centres!
TRIM
Game & Books Swap
At Sally Roger’s Bar Gate there is a Game and Book Swap initiative underway. People are asked to donate or swap a book or reusable game and advised to use sanitizer spray before leaving or taking an item.
WALTERSTOWN
Walterstown GFC Support
Walterstown GFC is helping out people in Johnstown and Walterstown. It now has over 40 volunteers all ready to go who are willing to do shopping, collect medicines and assist the elderly and vulnerable in any other way they might need. Ruth Chambers is co-ordinating the effort and can be contacted on (087 237 8741.