The kindness of strangers brings joy to the children of Tallaght

The kindness of strangers brings joy to the children of Tallaght

By Brendan Grehan

DUE TO the kindness of the people of Hackettstown, Co Carlow, some of Tallaght’s most dis-advantaged children will have a present to open on Christmas morning.

In the last few days hundreds of toys have arrived in Tallaght ready to be distributed to the families that need them.

Garda Appeal 01 15 December 2016

For the last 21 years, the residents of Hackettstown have pooled resources and donated Christmas gifts to some of Tallaght’s most needy families.

Two decades ago, Killinarden priest Father Jim McCormack was trans-ferred to Hackettstown and made an appeal on behalf of Tallaght’s disadvantaged families to his new parishioners.

The toys are collected by officers at Tallaght Garda Station who, alongside St Vincent De Paul and local schools, distribute the toys to families who are struggling this Christmas, making a huge difference to both parents and children.

Community Garda Garry Duffy told The Echo: “We have got hundreds and hundreds of toys this year. We can’t thank the people of Hackettstown and Fr Jim McCormack enough for all that they do every Christmas.”

The gardaí work alongside the St Vincent De Paul and other charities to avoid duplication.

Garda Duffy said: “Some of the families the toys are donated to we would be notified of their needs through the charities, but a lot of the families that we donate to we would have come across in the course of our work.

“Again a big thank you must go out to Fr Jim McCormack and the people of Hackettstown.”

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