Covid-19 restrictions have greatly curtailed the fundraising activities of voluntary groups – against this backdrop, communities have had to get creative.
In Araglin, they’ve gone down the route of collecting disused vehicle batteries, of which there are many in farm yards, sheds and out houses.
Two organisations stand to benefit, Araglin Hall committee and Araglin GAA. Having got the go ahead from their respective committees last week, volunteers have lost no time gathering up the batteries, which can be readily converted into cash.
The plan is to continue collecting for the next couple of weeks.
LOCAL FARMER FIRST UP
Organisers have identified farms as being a productive source of batteries and one of the first locations to be visited was the residence of Pad Ahern, who came up with a selection of car, tractor and JCB batteries.
The former community council activist, assisted collection team member, John Browne Sr., with assembling and loading the batteries, before it was on to the next location.
John is part of a specially selected sub-committee, who will oversee the fundraiser – others members include juvenile GAA coach, Maurice ‘Moss’ Reidy, adult GAA chairman, Thomas Kenneally Jr., community hall chairman, Thomas McCarthy, community hall activist, Patrick Horgan and carnival secretary, Joan O’Mahoney.
ONGOING COSTS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
In ‘normal’ times, the voluntary sector could rely on a variety of events to generate income – Covid-19 has put a stop to all that. While modest in its ambition, the battery collection is viewed as a first step in helping to get revenue streams flowing again.
COMMUNITY FIELD COLLECTION POINT
Those who wish to donate batteries can bring them to Araglin Community Field on Sunday next, 30th August, between 10am and 1pm.
