The Lions Club of Donegal has joined forces with Lough Eske Castle to launch a special Christmas food appeal.
The Lions Club, which works together with local charities and organisations to help families experiencing extreme hardship as a result of the economic downturn, is hoping Lough Eske Castle’s continued support for the appeal will significantly increase the amount of non-perishable food donated by the general public.
Dearbhla Kelly, President of the Letterkenny Lions Club, said that Lough Eske Castle’s generous support will make all the difference as we approach another difficult Christmas for organisations and families in need across Donegal.
“Each Christmas Letterkenny Lions Club, like many other clubs across the country make sure that the less well off are not forgotten about at Christmas time. Every Christmas we collect non perishable foods (such as pasta, cereals, porridge, tinned vegetables, sweets and savories) which are distributed to various charities and into homes in time for Christmas.
“This year Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel and Spa, and SuperValu, Donegal Town will have a collection point for Lions. You can drop by and leave some non perishable food in the basket and help give a bit of joy in times of need.
“Nationally, the Lions food donation amounts to the monetary value of 5 million euro. The motto of Lions is “We Serve” and the food appeal lives up to that ideal. We, the Lions Club would like to thank Lough Eske Castle, SuperValu and you the public in advance for supporting this worthy cause.”
Jeroen Quint, General Manager of Lough Eske Castle said that they were pleased to be able to do all they could to help the Lions Club’s efforts to assist those in need.
“We were delighted with the success of previous appeals so have decided to once again work with the local community to help those most in need this Christmas. The Lions Club have for years provided assistance to other charities operating across County Donegal and we’re pleased to be able to provide a boost to their work this year.
“We’d like to invite the entire community to join us in our efforts to make Christmas special for everyone by bringing a non-perishable food item to the collection point at the Lough Eske Castle from Thursdays to Sundays, or Kavanagh’s SuperValu Store Donegal Town.”
The appeal will be officially launched on Sunday 4th December at the Castle’s ‘Annual Switching on Ceremony’.
One lucky primary school child from Co. Donegal, chosen from hundreds of competition entrants, will be Prince of the Castle for the day and switch on the Castle’s Christmas Lights at 5pm.
There will be a range of activities including face painting and a children’s disco as well as carols from the local children’s choir and the opportunity to meet with Santa at Lough Eske Castle’s Christmas Gingerbread House.
Light refreshments comprising of cookies and juice for the children and mince pies and mulled wine will also be served. All are welcome to attend and those visiting the Castle for this special event are encouraged to be among the first to contribute to the appeal and bring with them a non-perishable food item which will be collected during the ceremony. The collection at the Hotel and at Kavanagh’s SuperValu Donegal Town will continue until Saturday 18th December 2010.
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