Kilmihil students collect for charity

STUDENTS at St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil have again collected a huge amount of food and toys in aid of the annual St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal. Ruth Morrissey, a teacher of Irish and English at the school organised the collection. Everything collected will be distributed in the greater West Clare area.
“The message we want to relay to the students is that we, by our contributions, can make a real difference in these people’s lives,” Ruth said.
“This year, more than ever, contributions are needed, in light of the recession and the recent flooding. The food and toys collected in the school will be given to the local branch of St Vincent de Paul which is in Kilrush.
It will then be distributed locally in the West Clare area. Each year, I am overwhelmed at the students’ generosity and spirit to help those less fortunate. They have an innate sense of compassion and a desire to help others, which is highly commendable,” Ruth added.
Each Christmas, Saint Vincent de Paul distributes thousands of hampers to families, elderly people or individuals who would otherwise go without basic food items as well as luxury treats at Christmas time.
Hamper distribution is carried out by dedicated and willing volunteers, who are able to identify households that are in need. An enormous quantity of food and manpower is required to prepare these hampers.  The St Vincent de Paul organisation has said it expects a dramatic increase in people coming to them for help at Christmas time, with the charity already seeing a surge in calls to its offices.  
The Society of St Vincent de Paul is a voluntary organisation, working with poor and disadvantaged people. Inspired by its principal founder, Frederic Ozanam, and its patron, St Vincent de Paul, they seek to respond to the call of those in need.