Only six months have passed since the beginning of 2018 but Lithuanians in Ireland have already raised 5,900 euro and over the past four years – more than 100,000 euro for children suffering from oncological diseases in Lithuania.
This year, Darijus Penčila, the ambassador of the honorary “Žalgiris” club in Ireland, organized the third annual charity basketball tournament in Dublin on May 19-20. The tournament attracted 8 teams from Dublin, North Ireland, and Monaghan. The two-day event resulted in 2,850 euro being raised for children suffering from oncological diseases in Lithuania.
On May 20th, to help our fellow countrywoman, Dainora Berzina, who was not spared from this horrible disease, Dovydas and Birutė Malinauskai shaved their heads to donate hair for a wig made specifically for cancer patients. This was organised by Lithuanians’ in Ireland community “Mes iš Laois” (“We are from Laois”) in Port Laoise “Allana Hair and Beauty” salon.
We are very grateful to these two brave and exceptional young people for their kindness, and to all those who came to support and to donate money. Over the course of the day, 540 euro was collected, as well as another 500 euro from the sale of 270 kibinai (meat pie) made by “Mes iš Laois” community the day before. The donation was given to the husband of Dainora Berzina, who participated in the event at the “Allana Hair and Beauty” salon. He then also expressed his gratitude to all lithuanians in Ireland who stood by his family during these trying times.
Lithuanians’ in Ireland continued their efforts on June 2nd in Dublin at the “Kibinų savaitgalis” (“The Weekend of Kibinai”) which also took place in order to support children suffering from oncological diseases. Kibinai were cooked with pork and chicken, a vegetarian option was also available. A total 1,500 kibinai were cooked. The “Kibinų savaitgalis” (“The Weekend of Kibinai”) resulted in collection of 2,900 euro. We thank everyone who came to try some great kibinai made by our volunteers and support those who need our help most.
Further actions to help the children will be taken by various Lithuanian organizations during events organized later in the year.
In September, the honorary “Žalgiris” club in Ireland will organise “3X3” charity basketball tournament and football club “Baltic United” will also organise the annual football tournament. All of the proceeds will go to children suffering from oncological diseases in Lithuania.
On the 7th of October, fishers’ club “Iascaire feeder fishing club” will organise their fourth fishing tournament.
On October 20th, charity organization “Airijos lietuviams rūpi” (“Ireland’s Lithuanians Care”) will organize their annual “Labdaros vakarienę” (“Charity dinner”). And on the 2nd of December a bridge of kindness and generosity will be extended between the Lithuanians in Ireland and Chicago. On the same day Santa Claus celebration event will be organized, during which, donations will be collected for children suffering from oncological diseases in Lithuania.
The work done by the Lithuanians in Ireland and by our fellow countrymen for the children suffering from oncological diseases never stops. Our actions are completely volunteering based, as volunteering is invaluable .
We would like to encourage everyone to join the charity events taking place this year and help those who were subjected to this horrid disease and who need our attention, kindness, love, and help.
Charity Organization “Airijos lietuviams rūpi” (“Ireland’s Lithuanians Care”) founder Rita Lamsargytė Mockė
Article adapted for English readers by Izabelė Šuškevičiūtė
Photographs by Galina Meilūnienė and Roberta Leščikauskaitė
