Still the time for giving

After weeks of kite flying and scare mongering, we now know all the facts and figures. The €250 increase on the student registration fee, the €12 increase in the monthly threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme, the six week reduction in the fuel season…the list goes on.

In the wake of Budget 2012, everyone is now considering just how much these facts and figures will impact on them and on their families. For those worrying about mortgage repayments or paying for the latest high tech toys for Christmas, it can sometimes be easy to forget that there always is help out there, no matter what sort of financial quagmire you find yourself in.

Groups like the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and St Vincent de Paul are always there to lend a helping hand and offer guidance and support. Demand for their services reaches incredible levels at this time of year, yet they still manage to aid those who need their help. And that’s all down to the dedicated volunteers who give their time freely.

It is estimated that one in six people in Ireland are involved in some kind of voluntary work, and their efforts were recognised at the Ireland Involved Awards on Monday, which was attended by our new President Michael D Higgins.

The President pointed out that Christmas is fast approaching and that, once again, carol singers will soon be taking to the streets raising money for the homeless, the sick and the marginalised, sales of work and Christmas fetes will be organised for the benefit of those in need, and many families will donate toys and food in the hope that those who have fallen on hard times will be able to join in the festive celebrations.

He stressed that these and so many other acts of kindness and solidarity are reassuring signs that, despite the “invasive and egotistical materialism that has so threatened the fabric of our society in recent times”, we are collectively still an instinctively decent and caring people.

Nowhere is that spirit more visible at Christmas than Galway, with local charities like COPE Galway, Console, Simon, the ISPCC and so many others organising events to raise funds and awareness of their work in the lead-up to the festive season, confident in the knowledge that people here will dig deep and support their efforts in whatever way they can, despite the facts and figures contained in Budget 2012.

To paraphrase President Higgins, voluntary workers contribute to an enormous range of activities in Ireland and our communities owe a great deal the work of these generous and giving people. So, while times may be tough, remember to support your local voluntary group in whatever way you can this festive season.