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You are here: Thinking about giving up something for lent? Why not give up some time?
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the first day of Lent. Lent is the 40-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter that represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Traditionally, we associate lent with giving something up. This year, Volunteer Centres Ireland is calling on people to instead (think of) take something up: doing something for someone else, either through formal volunteer work or with random acts of kindness.
Yvonne Mc Kenna, CEO of Volunteer Centres Ireland said, ‘Many people feel lent is only about giving up chocolate or other vices, but if you are taking time out to make changes in your life why not think about giving up your time for a worthwhile cause.’
There are many fundraising opportunities during lent from the Trocaire Lenten Campaign to collecting tinned cans but if you are looking for some more hands on volunteering check out www.volunteer.ie for a list of volunteering opportunities near you.
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