An annual event will take place in Emly on Sunday to raise funds to support homeless people. The event will comprise a bake sale and raffle on November 5th in Byrnes Tavern beginning at approximately noon after 11.15am Mass in St Ailbe’s Church.
In addition, the event will include a raffle with first prize being a painting of a Cork landscape by local Tidy Town’s stalwart Denis Heffernan – Emly emerged as the Tidy Towns winner for South Tipperary this year with 371 points just 5 behind the overall winner Abbeyleix. The organisers are also appealing for prizes for the raffle – these can be delivered or notified to Jonas Callanan (shop in the village) at 087 837 9854.
The funds are used to provide hot meals and essentials such as socks, clothing, tents or personal hygiene items. Two members of the group usually travel to Limerick city to deliver the aid to people that need such support – in addition some of the funds are shared with the Cork Penny Dinners and the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin.
Denis Heffernan composed a poem to help support the Fundraising effort –
Homeless But Not Different
Where shall I go today that is different from yesterday,
A street where I won’t be known or the park where I can sit alone
Everyone talks about Covid 19 and the way it affects their lives,
But for me alone hungry and frightened wondering will I survive the night
You have a clean bed to lie on, enough to eat each day,
A shower to freshen up and friends to share your day,
I too once was like you with family and friends galore,
But things in my life happened and now, I am feeling so broke.
At 45 my life is not bright, my feet are hurting this cold wet night,
In my chest I have a pain, my heart is so sad,
I am your brother. Please remember that.
