It's easy to get involved in Ma's on a Mission this weekend, writes Katrina Tasker:

Hundreds of Donegal women are spreading the Christmas cheer for less fortunate, vulnerable and sick children this year in a fantastic online community toy appeal that has spread across the country.

‘Ma’s on a Mission’ is a national online community of over 100,000 women who were so appalled to see the images of five-year-old Sam eating his food off a cardboard tray in the streets of Dublin recently, that they decided to do something about it.

And we want all of Donegal to come together this Saturday November 16, to help our army of ‘Ma’s on a Mission’ ladies, make sure we’re not ‘The Forgotten County’ when it comes to generosity, by buying a new toy or gift for children and teenagers less fortunate than our own.

You can also donate a gift voucher or gift card and you can involve your own children who can hand over an unopened toy that they’d like to give to a kid their own age.

Then all you have to do is drop it off at either Tesco in Letterkenny or Lidl in Donegal Town from 10AM – 1PM

Whether you’re a small family, a local school or a business with hundreds of employees, please dig deep and spread the word.

All of the toys and gifts will be donated to four Donegal charities, who will then distribute them to the kids and families in need.

The charities are: 

I CARE, DONEGAL DOMESTIC ABUSE CENTRE, LIFELINE and LETTERKENNY CHILDREN’s WARD

Donegal ‘Ma’ and volunteer Vanessa  MacInerney a mother of four young boys from Pettigo said:

‘We are an online community of women, and many of them are suffering. Some are homeless, some can’t afford the rent, some are facing eviction, and others have children needing long-term hospital treatment.

“After seeing the tragic picture of young Sam, we decided to set up the toy appeal within the group and it’s just exploded. 

“We are looking for new toys, to the maximum value of 20 euro, for girls and boys between the different age ranges of 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 and teens. “We’re suggesting 20 euro, but you don’t have to spend the maximum, just as long as it’s something that will put a smile on the kids’ faces, this Christmas. 

“Our GoFundMe page which just closed, raised over €21,000, and all the money will go to making a big difference to vulnerable kids this Christmas.”

Vanessa is urging all families/businesses and the community at large, to get down to Lidl in Donegal Town and Tesco in Letterkenny this Saturday from 10am – 1pm for a great way to start the Christmas season and share the festive Spirit. 

After the events all the toys will be taken to a storage point where they will be sorted by volunteers and delivered to all the charities on November 30th.

Thereafter, the money raised from the Go Fund Me appeal will be used to purchase more gifts and toys.

“Homesavers Ireland have been a huge support to our appeal and the money from the go fund me will be spent in there’, said Vanessa.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: This Saturday November 16 from 10am – 1pm

WHERE: DONEGAL TOWN – LIDL & LETTERKENNY – TESCO

WHAT: Bring an unwrapped gift up to the value of 20 euro for a child or teen under the following age categories:  0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 and teens.

PLEASE NOTE: 

  • Only new toys will be accepted. 
  • Please don’t gift wrap so that the toys are easily identifiable and can be allocated to the appropriate charities 
  • Put your gift in a blue or pink gift bag with the age range of the gift clearly marked on the gift tag. 
  • Get in the Christmas spirit and join in the fun at the drop off points.

So why not get your Christmas shopping off to a flying start by buying a gift for a little friend you’ve not met, then drop it off in Letterkenny and Donegal town this Saturday.

After all, that’s the real meaning of Christmas.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Vanessa McInerny on 085 256 2614 or at chefing12@gmail.com