Caring and Sharing Association
The cheque from the Gala Ball committee was presented to the Breakhouse on the 26th of May. The grand total was a whopping €60,965.66. This money will keep the respite house supported for many months to come. Thank you again to the wonderful voluntary committee lead by Sandra Crean. Thanks for all your hard work and support.
The Gala Ball in aid of CASA Breakhouses was held on Saturday the 25th in the Grand Hotel in Malahide. The ball was organised by a wonderful voluntary committee headed by Sandra Crean and included:
Valerie Melinn, Vikki Byrne, John Fitzpatrick, Fiona Bonke, Sarahann Potts, Andrea Egan, Alison O’Brien and Gary Halpin.
It was a wonderful evening with fantastic entertainment from Amanda Brown and Colin Smith, Andy James and the Swing Cats.
The grand total at the end of the night was a whopping €60,000 euros. CASA is so grateful to Sandra and the team for all their hard work. They have done an amazing job. This money will support the Breakhouse for months to come and enable the volunteers to focus on what they do best, providing a quality respite service.
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/101984436@N03/sets/72157649896864783/
Come, walk with us. It is not until we walk in the shoes of another that we can fully appreciate their life, the everyday hurdles they overcome, and their bravery. Seldom we get the opportunity to do this, but we can be alert and observe, and try to deepen our understanding. In June, a very special plane will lift off from Dublin Airport. Another similar plane will rise above the skies of Cork. On board, those planes will be filled with many people with disabilities, some intellectual, sensory, physical. People of all ages, from all walks of life, because disability knows no boundaries. Some terminally ill people will also be onboard.
As the plane gathers speed on the runway, the smiles of delight on the faces of the children is a joy to behold, treasured more so because that smile is often their only means of communication. With each passing mile in the sky, those on board are fast becoming friends. Strangers who meet at the airport, now bonded together in a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Each person with a disability is accompanied by their own personal carer, plucked from all walks of life, travelling at their own expense, eager to make sure that their new found friend will get optimum benefit from this pilgrimage to Lourdes. A medical team of doctors and nurses accompany the group. The pilgrimage is greatly enriched by the care of a team of Priests whose input in providing healing masses and knowledge of the joys of Lourdes is immeasurable.
Being a volunteer carer on such a trip if a very rewarding experience. Unfortunately for many, due to family and other commitments, this experience is not possible. However, your help and support is vital in making this happen. You too can become a part of this very special journey. Simply place your unwanted item of clothing, shoes, etc into a bag and bring it to Cooley Parochial Hall, in Co Louth on Sat 11thApril. Hanlon Transport have once more kindly offered us the use of their truck and trailer. Their lorry will be parked at the Hall from 9 am to 1 pm. From there, all of the donated goods will be brought to the CASA headquarters in Capel Street, Dublin where they will be sorted, priced, and distributed to the chain of CASA charity shops nationwide.
The proceeds from the sale of your donations will enable CASA to make dreams come true for many very special people.
A huge thank you to everybody who have already donated goods. Your kindness is very much appreciated.
CASA will be having a number of bucket collections throughout Ireland to raise funds for the services we provide. If you see any CASA bucket collecters out and about we’d be delighted if you could donate any of your spare change.
CASA Cork volunteer, Andrew O’Farrell and friends, took part in the Art O’Neil Challenge. A 53km run/trek from Dublin Castle to Glenmalure in South Co Wicklow, in aid of CASA. They managed to complete the very difficult challenge and we at CASA are very grateful for the huge sacrifice they made by entering and fundraising for CASA. Here’s what Andrew had to say about it “.It was cold, it was long and it was done mostly by night leaving Dublin Castle at 1 am and arriving Glenmalure at 12:24 on the following day, with a dozen degrees below freezing, lashings of snow and a wind against us on the 30km run section that was that strong it would seem to go straight through ya! I near got frost bit!” A very impressive effort by them all.
You can still donate towards their great effort through the link below:
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/andrew_cathal_deirdre_marys_art_oneill_challenge/
It’s that time of the year when people make a lot of resolutions for the New Year. Why not add volunteering with CASA to that list? CASA relies on volunteers for our monthly social groups. Our one-to-one philosophy means that at every CASA social event we pair-up a CASA member with a volunteer and they both spend the afternoon together. Due to this, we always need volunteers to ensure our members can attend our social events.
To learn more about volunteering with CASA visit our Volunteer page.
This story is about my Mother. Looking back I guess I became aware of her helping out in the neighbourhood from an early age and different children coming to stay at our house for short holidays. I remember extra siblings in the double bed, less space but most importantly they just became one of the family. In my late teens I remember saying have you not enough with 9 of us? NO it is our duty to look after others says she. I was the selfish, jealous one wanting some space. She continued taking kids/teens from Lota house and fostering for many years. She has been involved in COPE foundation, meals on wheels and CASA – fundraising and volunteering- until last year when ill health prevented her to continue being actively involved. Many of her family from different generations are continuing the tradition. She is still sharing and caring by spending time praying for all and enjoying going for her game of cards with her national school friends and that is my Mother 79 years of age Grannie Nora yahoooooooo.
A brilliant effort by Third Space and their customers who helped raise €450 for their ‘Square meal’ event last week. This money will all go towards the running of our Kids group in Swords. Thank you Third Space!