Members of the Shannon’s Men Shed after receiving their Christmas dinners. Photograph: Joe Buckley
ALMOST 600 Christmas dinners will be delivered by Shannon Gardaí to senior citizens in the locality this week.
Gardaí wearing Santa hats in Shannon and surrounds is the clear sign that Christmas is on the way to the Airport town.
From Tuesday (December 9th) to Friday (December 12th) of this week, Gardaí will deliver an approximate 600 Christmas dinners to senior citizens in Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Bunratty and Cratloe.
This initiative began during COVID-19 when the Shannon Garda senior citizens Christmas party had to be postponed on account of successive lockdowns.
When the pandemic passed and parties resumed, it was decided to continue with the meal deliveries due to its popularity. It has become a favourite on the calendar of Gardaí in the Shannon area.
Businesses, organisations and schools in the area all play their pat. All 600 meals are cooked over four days by the Shannon College of Hotel Management who also add a festive mince pie for dessert.
St Francis Credit Union, Fabricated Products Shannon, Smithstown Light Engineering, Smitz Café, Ei Electronics, Premier Insurance and Legal Services, Expeditors and Café Solo are among the businesses to lend their support.
All senior citizens are also treated to a personalised Christmas card created by students in all the national schools in Shannon. A special gift is also delivered with the Dinner that was packed and wrapped by transition year students from St Patrick’s Comprehensive School and St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon.
Next Tuesday, the annual Shannon Garda Senior Citizens Christmas Party takes place in the Goal Post Bar in the Wolfe Tones na Sionna GAA Club on Tuesday 16th December at 12:30pm. All senior citizens in Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on Fergus, Bunratty and Cratloe are welcome to attend. Contact Shannon Garda Station on 061 3650900 or email shannon.sergeantoffice@garda.ie for further information.
