Choirs to sing out for Simon

WHEN the Mid-West Simon Community launched its ‘Sing for Simon’ fundraising initiative three years ago, they hit on an idea that has provided     significant relief for homeless people in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary.
This year, the need for funds has become so critical that the community has launched an urgent appeal for choirs to volunteer their time and talents for an hour or two any time from December 6 to 8.
They are hoping that the money raised will help fund a new resource centre, where homeless people who are on the streets at night can change their clothes and have some hot food in the morning. It could also serve job training, occupational therapy and physiotherapy services as well as a drop-in centre. “We are asking people come out and have a bit of fun around Christmas time and fundraise for people that won’t have any fun this Christmas,” said Mid-West Simon’s fundraising co-ordinator Fianait Mitchell.
Explaining that the recession has made homelessness worse, Ms Mitchell said that last year, there were 2,222 cases of homelessness in the Mid-West and Simon volunteers have also seen a rise in people contacting them for their deposit guarantee scheme. This scheme, funded by Electric Aid, allows the Simon Community to give clients the deposit necessary for them to stay in rented accommodation.
The venues organised for the ‘Sing for Simon’ choirs to perform at are Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre, The Milk Market and Crescent Shopping Centre.
“Basically, the more choirs we get the more funds we raise. Any choir at all, from family groups to youth, church or community choirs, we’ll be glad of their support. We are also looking for people to collect money while the choirs are singing.
“Coming up to Christmas, homelessness is more visible because you see the evidence on the streets. You pass by at night and you can see the soup runs going on,” Ms Mitchell added.
Simon Community has also organised three other charity events, Soup for Simon, a night at the dogs and a Hunger Drive.
Soup for Simon will take place from December 13 to 20 when coffee shops in the Mid-West will be asked to donate €1 from every bowl of soup they sell that week.
December 20 is their night at the dogs when, along with the €10 ticket charge, sponsorship of races or dogs will be most welcome.
For the Hunger Drive they are asking people to donate food, or vouchers for homeless people, as well as clothes, shaving equipment, hair brushes and toothpaste for emergency packs.