The Galway Giving Tree is an all-volunteer organisation, which has been helping local families in Galway since 2010.
The operation works with local service agencies such as COPE Galway, Galway Simon Community, and Eglinton Asylum Seekers Accommodation Center by gathering Christmas ‘wishes’ from needy children and adults in Galway. Each registered host business will be provided with wish tags to hang on their Christmas tree inside their business.
To fulfill a wish, a person removes a tag from the tree, purchases the requested gift, and returns the gift with the tag attached to the tree inside the original business.
A Galway Giving Tree Elf will then come to the business, collect the gifts, and distribute them to the corresponding children and adults who are registered under the social service agencies.Last year alone, The Galway Giving Tree collected nearly 1000 gifts, from 21 host business for children and adults here in Galway.
General donations such as food and money are not accepted – instead, if you are hoping to help a family in need this Christmas the best way is by fulfilling wish tags. The focus of the Giving Tree is to grant wishes for those in need over the holidays, by fulfilling a wish tag, you are doing just that.
If you are wishing to help someone in need this holiday season, tags can be found at various locations around Galway: Boston Scientific located in the Ballybrit Business Park, Naomi’s Creche in Knocknacarra, The Warehouse Gym, Bank of Ireland and various locations around NUI Galway’s university campus will be hosting Giving Trees this year.
“Boston Scientific, as well as being our biggest Host Business, is actually sponsoring the costs of running the program this year. Our other big sponsor is Barons Self Storage, who donate space so that we can sort the gifts. We are indebted to their kindness. I think the program is popular because it doesn’t feel anonymous. There’s a real connection when you know you are giving something that has been wished for – you can really brighten someone’s Christmas. When you see the tags, it’s hard to not want to take part.” – Florinda Green, Founder of The Galway Giving Tree
“I would encourage other agencies to get involved with the program and encourage companies to sign up as host businesses or sponsors as it is a great way for the people of Galway to support children in our community”. – Fintan Maher, COPE Galway
You can see a full list of Host Businesses, and more information on how you can become involved at:
www.facebook.com/galwaygivingtree
Twitter: @GalwayGivinTree
By Chelsea Tabert
