Donegal Giving marks first anniversary at Footprints of Giving conference

Donegal’s charitable spirit was highlighted on Thursday as the Footprints of Giving conference took place in Letterkenny.

The event celebrated the one‑year anniversary of the homegrown Donegal Giving movement, founded by Evelyn Mc Glynn, which has grown from an ethos into an award‑winning not‑for‑profit social enterprise.

Conference highlights

The Donegal Giving board – Caitríona Sinnott, Assumpta Gunning, Trish McGinley, Paul Logue and founder Evelyn Mc Glynn – received a Volunteer Recognition Award from the Donegal Volunteer Centre. The organisation also outlined its participation in the RiSE programme and its development of educational initiatives for Transition Year students, with a primary school programme in the pipeline.

Speakers, including former minister Joe McHugh, described Donegal as the “premier league of giving”. McHugh launched the €20 Footprints of Giving Legacy Journal, a 160‑page hardback featuring county photography, reflections and prompts for recording personal memories and the contributions of emigrants.

The conference introduced the Donegal Giving Challenge, urging the public to complete one act of generosity before Christmas Eve, ranging from checking in on a neighbour to volunteering or donating.

Personal stories were shared, such as Falcarragh couple Patsy and Rosie Curran, who have fostered 47 children over 35 years, and Annemarie Huston from Strabane, who spoke about her sight‑loss diagnosis and the importance of support groups. Ambassador Pat Nora Gallagher from Dungloe emphasized that even the smallest contribution can become part of a larger legacy.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Miff Ibra / Pexels.