Hacketstown Toy Sunday marks 30 years of giving

AN INCREDIBLE legacy of generosity and kindness celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

The annual Toy Sunday appeal will take place in Hacketstown on the weekend of 7-8 December, which will mark a remarkable three decades of giving to families in need at Christmas time. Thanks to the generosity of Hacketstown parish, this annual tradition of giving toys and gifts to communities in Tallaght continues and is warmly welcomed every year.

The appeal began with Fr Jim McCormack, who had previously served in the parish of Killinarden, Tallaght before being appointed parish priest in Hacketstown. Fr Jim observed the problems faced by society’s most vulnerable first hand, so when he relocated to Hacketstown in 1994 he kept his links with Killinarden.

Through the generosity of the people of Hacketstown and surrounding areas, Fr Jim made sure that the people of Killinarden were cared for and looked after, even in his absence.

Toy Sunday subsequently became an annual collection, with Tallaght community police, Fr Terence McGovern, Edel Byrne and local people actively getting involved.

Last week, Sgt Pat Courtney, a community garda in Tallaght, visited St Brigid’s Church in Hacketstown to talk to parishioners about Toy Sunday and the wonderful legacy of Fr Jim. Pat paid tribute to Fr Jim and the “absolute generosity and kindness shown to this day by the people of Hacketstown”, which also includes a collection of Easter eggs at Easter time. “My predecessor Jim Fleming and subsequently myself were lucky enough to both witness the generosity and kindness shown by the wonderful people of this parish and give toys and Easter eggs to the families who were really struggling and would have gone without at that time of the year,” said Pat.

When Fr Jim retired in early 2020, new parish priest Fr Terrence McGovern was determined to continue this great tradition and the parish was delighted to see it continue.

“For so many young children, a new toy can mean so much more than just something to play with. It represents hope, joy and the feeling of being remembered and cared for, and once again it is you who have brought that joy to all of those children,” said Pat.

Pat recounted something he’d heard from one mother in Tallaght: ‘What Fr McCormack has done over the last 30 years has been amazing, helping people out at the hardest times. I myself fell on hard times … Christmas, three kids, a single mother, lost my job, struggling, and reached out to him. And with no judgment, he helped me and gave my kids a Christmas. I will be forever grateful to him and to you as a community. Thank you all so, so much.’ “I want to express our deepest gratitude to you all, who help make this a success year-in and year-out. I would like to thank Fr Terence McGovern and Edel Byrne, who are actively involved to this day. And last but certainly not least, I want to thank Fr Jim and acknowledge the huge bond he has with this parish and the parish of Killinarden,” said Pat.

“He got you all involved in a campaign that has lasted 30 years and he shaped the lives of so many people for the better and preserved the innocence and joy in many a young child.” A collection box for the toys will be available in St Brigid’s Church, Hacketstown on 7-8 December. Donations can also be handed in at Fr McGovern’s house.