Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2022
This Christmas we are again taking part in the shoebox appeal. Every year we send a shoebox full to the brim of treats to a group of children in India. Our ethos at McKenna and Co is to always give back wherever we can and this is the perfect way to do just that. Christmas time can be an especially difficult time for a lot of families in poorer parts of the world, even this small gesture of a box full of treats can make a huge difference to their Christmas experience. So, where do we send them? We send our shoeboxes to the Bulbulir Basa orphanage in Calcutta, which Lisa visited in 2017. While there, she taught and lived alongside 10 boys between the ages of 8 and 14. The Bulbulir Basa Orphanage is one of the smaller ones in Calcutta and so is often one which is overlooked. By focusing on this smaller orphanage, it allows us to make our shoeboxes more personable as we get to know more about the child we are gifting to and we are also sent a lovely picture of them all with their presents which is always an emotional one to receive. It is while doing these shoeboxes, you really think about how someone else’s Christmas experience is so different to you own, and gives an opportunity to reflect on what is really important.
Focus Ireland: McKenna and Co’s 2021 Charity
McKenna and Co Solicitors are delighted and proud to announce that we are partnering with Focus Ireland, as our 2021 charity. Lisa McKenna, principal solicitor at McKenna and Co Solicitors, is feeling positive about the partnership. “As a property law firm, we understand the importance of home, and the feeling of safety and security it provides. From the bigger things of having security of shelter in a home of our own to the smaller things of a warm bed and shower, the things we sometimes take for granted. We are delighted to be able to partner with Focus Ireland in any way we can, and are looking forward to the year ahead.” Michelle Hynes, the corporate partnership office for Focus Ireland, said: “Focus Ireland is delighted to partner with McKenna & Co. Solicitors. Their support will help us ensure that those who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of becoming homeless across Ireland, are given the critical support they need on their pathway to a safe and secure home” Lisa McKenna has previously taken part in the Focus Ireland #ShineALightNight sleepout in October 2020, raising over €5,000.
McKenna and Co take part in Darkness into Light
The event raised funds and awareness for Pieta House, a suicide prevention charity On Saturday 8th May, the team at McKenna and Co Solicitors joined people all across Ireland to take part in the Darkness into Light run, organised by Pieta House. The run aims to give the gift of hope to those impacted by suicide and self-harm. As the event is taking place remotely this year Pieta House and Electric Ireland called on people to run, walk, swim, cycle or just get up in time for the sunrise. Lisa McKenna, principal solicitor of McKenna and Co Solicitors, explains why she wanted her team to take part: “Pieta does incredible work to support those who undergo dark times in their lives and gives hope of a better day ahead. It is important that the stigma around depression and mental health is eliminated to allow those feeling low to come forward and speak out before it’s too late, the legal profession has a high rate of depression and thus it’s important we stand strong behind the charity in their efforts to help.” “Depression is being colorblind but always being told how colorful the world is”- Atticus …….
McKenna and Co Solicitors undertakes shoebox appeal for Indian orphanage this Christmas
After visiting the orphanage in 2017, Lisa McKenna remains committed to helping the boys in the Bulbulir Basa Orphanage In 2017, Lisa McKenna – before she was the principal solicitor of McKenna and Co Solicitors – travelled to India, where she volunteered at the Bulbulir Basa boys Orphanage in West Bengal, India. While there, Lisa volunteered her time by teaching and living alongside the 10 boys, who ranged in age from 8 to 14. “The experience definitely changed my life,” says Lisa. “I formed a life-long bond with the orphanage and still communicate with them today via Whats App. Small things mean so much to them, which is why we, at McKenna and Co, decided to organize a shoe box appeal for the children. The gifts and sweets will mean so much to them.” Although there are other bigger orphanages based in India, such as the Hope Foundation, Lisa decided to put her time, energy and attention to somewhere with fewer resources in an effort to make a difference to the lives of the children. “It was important to me to go somewhere a bit overlooked. Homelessness is rife in India, and the size of the orphanage shouldn’t matter, everyone deserves help and someone to care for them, especially at Christmas.”
Lisa McKenna raises over €5,000 for Focus Ireland
Focus Ireland raised €1.8million to help those sleeping on the streets in Ireland On 16th October 2020, volunteers across Ireland slept out on the streets in order to raise awareness and money for Focus Ireland, a charity dedicated to providing services for people who are homeless. Lisa McKenna, the principal solicitor of McKenna and Co Solicitors, was one of them. As a property solicitor in Dublin, Lisa is well aware of the privilege of having your own home and wanted to do her part to help. “I see every day the excitement and security people, especially first-time buyers, feel about buying their own home. It’s a sanctuary from the outside world. It’s important to me to help everyone, in any way I can, to feel at home.” It was a cold October night but Lisa had perspective. “Being subjected to the cold, fear and anxiety of homelessness is the sad reality for so many, whereas I know I’m able to go home once the night is over. It’s so important to do what you can to help as the impact of any act of kindness – no matter how small – should never be underestimated. ” Lisa managed to raise a total of €5,603.19, which was well over her goal of €5,000. “I was so happy to exceed expectations and it’s all thanks to the generosity of friends, family, colleagues and clients who supported me with this.” Overall, Focus Ireland raised an unprecedented amount of €1.8 million as a result of the volunteer’s efforts.
Calcutta Run 2020 moves online but maintains its impact
Covid-19 forced the Calcutta Run to go online, but practitioners made the most of the challenge The Calcutta Run, organised by the Law Society of Ireland, is usually a central point in an Irish legal calendar. It began in 1999 as a way of bringing the legal profession together to create an annual fundraising event to support homeless children in Ireland and in Calcutta and has raised €4.3million over the last 22 years. This year, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the run moved online and instead of taking place on a singular day, took place from Friday 30th October until Sunday 8th November. Participants ran in their own 5kms and uploaded photos and raised money for the Peter McVerry trust and the Hope Foundation. “Although it wasn’t the Calcutta Run we’d come to expect in the legal profession, it was great to still be able to go through with it,” says Lisa McKenna, principal solicitor of McKenna and Co Solicitors. “Here at McKenna and Co, we raised €500 with a bake sale and with individual sponsored runs.” Despite the initial worry that it wouldn’t go ahead, the virtual Calcutta run raised €200,000 and was a great opportunity to raise awareness for homelessness in Ireland and in Calcutta.
McKenna and Co announce our 2020 Charity
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted everyone, and left the vulnerable in society without the protection of charitable donations. Dublin property law firm, McKenna and Co solicitors, are donating a percentage of their earnings to the Dublin Society Protection Cruelty to Animals for a year, beginning in June 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted everyone, and left the vulnerable in society even more exposed and without the protection of charitable donations. However, while people are being protected by GoFundMe’s and Government initiatives, animals are more exposed, still as vulnerable and less protected. McKenna and Co represent a number of people and strives to protect vulnerable people in society. We aim to help the vulnerable in society any way we can, and to this end, from May 2020, McKenna and Co Solicitors is donating a % of our monthly earnings to the Dublin Society Protection Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA).
