A NATIONWIDE appeal has been launched to help homeless adults, children and families celebrate Christmas this year.
The annual appeal by Dublin-based charity Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) has already resulted in tens of thousands of essential items and gifts being given to those in need, and this year it's set to be bigger than ever.
The annual appeal supports people who are living on the streets, in emergency accommodation and in direct provision by providing them with clothes, gifts and Christmas cards in the toughest time of year for people who are struggling.
To get involved, take a shoebox and mark it Man, Woman, Boy or Girl, and if your Santabox is meant for a young person make sure to mark the age bracket.
Fill the box to the brim with essential items such as socks, underwear, hats, scarfs, gloves, toiletries, or gift vouchers, sweets and gifts.
Add a Christmas card with a positive message if you wish, then wrap the lid and the body of the box separately.
Do you want to donate a present to someone that is homeless this Christmas?
We are delighted to launch our Santa Box...
Posted by Inner City Helping Homeless on Wednesday, 11 November 2020
There are some restrictions on the items you can place in the box, however-- ICHH request that you do not gift aerosols, perfumes, aftershave or mouthwash.
Usually, the Santaboxes are dropped off in person in a big annual event in December, but due to current restrictions anyone wishing to get involved is asked to deliver the Santaboxes to ICHH's warehouse between the hours of 10am - 6pm Monday to Friday.
Unit 144A Slaney Close
Dublin Industrial Estate
Glasnevin
Dublin 11
Or for bigger collections, you can contact the office directly on 01 888 1804 or by emailing [email protected] .
The charity added that alternative collection points are expected to be added once Level 5 restrictions are eased, and said: "For anyone looking to support our annual appeal that can't get to a shop we will have something for you next week.
"Watch this space."
For more information you can visit the Inner City Helping Homeless Facebook page here.