Each year the Club sets up collection points at various supermarkets throughout the town. Shoppers are invited to make a contribution of a non-perishable food item. Once collected all the food is brought to a distribution centre, where it is sorted and packaged.

Through a network of volunteers the parcels are delivered to the various homes, usually in the week prior to Christmas. None of this can happen without the generosity and goodwill of the public. In a time when quite a number of families are in need of support and when one might expect the volume of food collected to be down, Club members were both surprised and humbled by this year's response. There was a tremendous sense of sharing and awareness experienced by all the members, who say it was a privilege to be in a position to bring much-needed help and support in a very practical way to so many.

Over 150 hampers were distributed.

The Club has also paid a very special tribute to the band of helpers from Clonmel High School and the Presentation Secondary School for providing the resources and manpower to carry out such a mammoth task within a very short time frame.

The Lions also thank their very generous supporters, who provide much-needed transport, packaging and other essential items to make the whole operation a success; and the supermarkets for making their premises available.

One phrase that was spoken and heard throughout the campaign was, "it's only something small" Translate this from hundreds of small individual donations and you get the resources to put together very meaningful and worthwhile food hampers. As with all Lions Club activities, it is many small things coming together that can make a huge impact.

The Lions Club's response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti was to make an immediate donation to fellow Lions Clubs in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to get help to where it was most needed in the fastest way possible. The Club was able to do this through the network of Lions International.

A special fund, Lions Club Haiti Appeal, was also established in Bank of Ireland, Clonmel, into which donations have been very generously made. This fund is still open with Account No 42139211, Sort Code 90 60 05 and all money received will be very gratefully accepted and passed on to where it will make life-saving changes.

The Club will also make a further donation from the proceeds of its Flag Day, which will be held in Clonmel on this Saturday, 6th February.

Clonmel Lions Club cannot exist without the continued support of the people of the town and is delighted and privileged to assist local and international charities on people's behalf, using the talents and resources of its members.

The Club extends a very special thank to you all.