Michael Clifford: Who will bear the economic pain of the pandemic?
After the economic collapse in 2008, austerity was imposed on those least able to bear it. It could happen again when the bill for the pandemic comes calling, believes trade unionist Brendan Ogle
Catriona Twomey, of Penny Dinners in Cork, which is making up to 2,000 meals a week for those in need, compared to 150 before the pandemic.
Thu, 04 Mar, 2021 - 21:21
Michael Clifford
Brendan Ogle is on a mission. He has produced an economic analysis of inequality and deprivation in this country. Nearly as interesting as the content of the document is the premise the Unite trade unionist relied on for compiling it.
FISH organization gets new president
Higgins passing reins to Vaughan
By PAULETTE LeBLANC - | Feb 10, 2021
According to Dianne Higgins, president of FISH (Fellow Islanders Sending Help), the very difficulties presented by year 2020 were in part responsible for the connectivity of the organization.
“This year it was outstanding,” Higgins said of the various partnerships in events, “particularly with our Basket Brigades. Certainly people gave us nice donations throughout the year but at the school Clothes for Kids and especially at Christmastime it was amazing.”
Higgins said the Basket Brigade committee, to the best of her knowledge, did not have to buy one toy for the 238 children, and 92 families they were able to serve this past Christmas. There were also roughly a dozen seniors who participated.
Hookers’ history book grows thicker each year
By PAULETTE LeBLANC - | Jan 20, 2021
Donna Joe (DJ) Ruscik is the 14th Madame of the Matlacha Hookers, the beloved island philanthropic organization with the unorthodox name.
Nancy Goodwin was the first Madame (president) back in 1998, when the organization began. “She and her husband lived in Matlacha for many years,” said Ruscik of Goodwin, explaining that Goodwin’s husband, Dana, had been wearing a fishing hook on his hat, which is what originally gave Goodwin the idea to begin a fundraising organization called the Matlacha Hookers in the commercial fishing town. According to Ruscik it took approximately five years to become a 501c3 organization.
By Skylar McCarthy
The baskets that were delivered last year/ London Ontario Basket Brigade Facebook
The London Basket Brigade is delivering ham, turkey, and vegan dinners along with a $200 grocery store gift card to 130 families in London struggling. The London Basket Brigade is also partnering up with the Jansen Christmas Toy Drive to provide less fortunate children with presents in time for Christmas morning.
Established by The Tony Robbins Foundation which formed in 1991, the International Basket Brigade feeds over two million families in nine countries each holiday season. When the local chapter debuted, recipients were recommended from Wilfrid Jury Public School. Since then Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre have linked several families struggling to have food, personal items, and toys to the London Basket Brigade as well.