It’s the time of year when we all want to help people less fortunate than ourselves.
But it’s difficult to know where to start.
it’s easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged by the complexity and enormity of issues.
That’s why I put together the December Good Deeds Calendar: with daily Compassion Cues this Christmas.
December Good Deeds Diary
Print this December calendar. Keep it at your desk to keep you on track daily.
It’s easy to make one small gesture everyday. Mother Teresa said:
“Never be too busy as not to think of other…. Together we can do great things.”
“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”
You can download the pdf file below for easier reading: December Good Deeds Diary: Compassion Cues this Christmas
List of some charities
(thanks to Image magazine)
I’m also attaching a list of some of my favourite charities and a few ideas about how you can help. There are lots more great causes and no doubt many of you have your own favourite charity. Just remember, your small gesture could make a very big difference to someone in need.
Help The Homeless
- SVP – St Vincent de Paul works hard to alleviate and end poverty within communities.
- Focus Ireland works hard for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- The Peter McVerry Trust opens doors for homeless people in Dublin city.
- The Simon Community works to prevent and address homelessness in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath.
- The Capuchin Day Centre feeds more than 1,400 daily as well as providing other services.
- Cork Penny Dinners– Serves up to 2,000 freshly made meals each week.
Help Fight Addiction
- Merchants Quay provide life-changing services for people fighting addiction and homelessness.
- The Ana Liffey Drug Project is a free addiction service that helps reduce harm and drug use in Dublin, Limerick…
- The Rise Project works to support families and friends of those suffering addiction.
Help To Protect Women
- Women’s Aid is fundamental to protecting women against domestic violence.
- Helping Handbags helps women who are homeless or at risk to access feminine hygiene and sanitary products.
- The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre provides 24-hour service for victims of rape and fight to end sexual violence in Ireland
- The Women’s Council Of Ireland has been improving the lives of women in Ireland for 40 years.
Mental Health
- Pieta House centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide
- Samaritans Support Services – find your branch here
- Aware Support Services
- Spunout – youth information and support
- A Lust for Life – offers help
- See change – changing attitudes
Protect Our Furry Friends
- The DSPCA fight for animal welfare and re-home thousands of animals each year.
- The Dogs Trust want the best for every dog in Dublin. They provide rehoming services, microchipping, neutering – the lot.
- Little Hill Animal Rescue is a rescue sanctuary for animals who have experienced abuse.
Stand With LGBTI+ Communities
- Belong To stand up against and protect members of the LGBTI+ communities from bullying.
- LGBT Ireland listens in confidence and without judgement, seven days a week.
- The Outhouse is a community and resource centre for LGBTI+ people, their families and friends.
Make An Elderly Person’s Life Better
- Friends Of The Elderly help build relationships and companionships for members of the community without family.
- Alone raises awareness about the challenges and issues that vulnerable older people face as they age.
Ideas about how you can you help?
- Donate – all charities are in constant need of funds to provide their essential services … either once off or a monthly commitment
- Organise a Corporate Fundraiser – have some fun at work, whilst collecting for a good cause. It will give everyone a lift
- Drop a bag of warm clothes or toiletries – Simon and all the agencies are looking for warm coats, jumpers and boots in wintertime
- Volunteer to help – so many people are quietly helping others in various organisations throughout the country
- Attend charitable events – all the charities run events in which you can play a part … check out their website
- Give a gift of giving instead of an unnecessary Christmas present – or 50% of your spend to charity and a smaller gift!
- Check out any of the Charities’ websites – they all have suggestions about how you can help?
For more information
This calendar was put together by Joanne O’Malley, Mindfulness at Work.
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