In the run up to Christmas, charity and giving back are always greatly emphasised, and our societies on campus are no different. While Trinity Vincent de Paul (VDP) is the most obvious example of this, we’ve seen a great push lately from a variety of groups like Trinity Law Society (Law Soc), Trinity Arts Workshop (TAW) and the Trinitones. Evidently, charity work isn’t exclusively an interest of any one particular society.
Law Soc have proven instrumental in raising awareness of certain fundraisers throughout the year, and this festive time is no exception. Maintaining their love for puns, one such event is named “Jingle Law the Way” and is in aid of their chosen charity of the year, Saoirse Women’s Refuge. This charity provides many necessary resources for women and children suffering domestic abuse, including short-term refuge accommodation and an outreach service. The winter formal is taking place on December 13th in the Church Cafe Bar.
In addition to this wintry fundraiser, Law Soc is also teaming up with the Law School to participate in the Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) Shoe Box Appeal. As most shoe box appeals go, eager participants just need to fashion a box with their chosen gifts inside, for example, toiletries, hats, scarves and non-perishable food items. All donations are being received on Tuesday December 6th. Alternatively, students can contribute to a GoFundMe campaign by Law Soc, which is also donating the proceeds to ICHH. The Trinity Free Legal Advice Centre (Flac) is also supporting Law Soc’s shoebox appeal.
However, it is Trinity VDP that offers the most ways to get involved in charity work on campus this Christmas. Their Christmas appeal is being launched this Tuesday afternoon in the Global Room of the Hamilton from 4pm to 6pm. The event invites all students and staff of Trinity to come and support those less fortunate. They will be showcasing an exhibition named “The Homeless of Dublin”. The launch will also feature speakers from the national branch of St Vincent de Paul, who will give a more general address regarding the homeless crisis and the “hidden homeless” – those who live temporarily in hotels and B&Bs.
Speaking to The University Times, President of Trinity VDP, Sam McMahon, highlighted the importance of student involvement in charity work, stating “we’re so fortunate to be in the position we’re in as students”, and that “it’s so important, especially in the run up to Christmas, to think of those less fortunate than us”.
Acknowledging that there is a greater interest in charity during this time of year, he expressed that even the cold weather “resonates that this is the time to give”. McMahon understands that this is also a very stressful time for students. However, there is still much enthusiasm from students who are “willing to give”. Aiding this, Trinity VDP have set up an online donation service through their Facebook page, donations from which will be given to the ICHH Sleeping Bag Appeal.
In addition to the launch of their Christmas appeal, Trinity VDP has a plethora of other events going on this Christmas. From the December 12th to 16th, they will be having a collection in the Arts Block and the Hamilton for shoeboxes to be donated to the ICHH appeal also. The much-anticipated Polar Express event taking place on Wednesday is a collaboration between Trinity VDP and Trinity Ents, and discounted tickets were available if a shoebox was also donated. This proved overwhelmingly successful as VDP received over 200 shoeboxes. This Friday a “wrapping party” will also be going on in the Arts Block to prepare these presents, along with a screening of Love Actually.
Sunday will see the society’s Kid’s Christmas Party held in Osmond House. With 50 volunteers and 90 children McMahon states that the event “should be absolutely crazy”. Many of the gifts received from students will be given to these children. For those interested in keeping up with Trinity VDP over the holidays, they are continuing to run a soup run through Christmas. These place every Tuesday and Friday, meeting at Front Arch at 8pm. Another yuletide fundraiser is the Trinity Arts Workshop Christmas Fair, the proceeds of which all go to Trinity VDP. The artwork on sale is uniquely that of Trinity Arts Workshop’s students and are all donated in aid of this charitable event. The fair will be held on December 14th in the Graduates Memorial Building (GMB).
On December 13th the Trinitones take over the College Chapel for their annual Charity Christmas Concert, this year entitled “A Tribute To Tinsel”. Admission to the event is free, but the acapella group will be collecting donations on the door for St Vincent de Paul and Amnesty International.
Without a doubt, there are plenty of opportunities over the last two weeks of term to give back, and this is only made easier by the work done by the many charitable societies on campus. Be it Law Soc, TrinityVDP, or any other charity, society or club in Trinity, Christmas is most certainly an excellent time give a hand and help those in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves.
