‘Amazing’ displays help Letterkenny charity shop ‘give back to the community’

St Vincent De Paul’s (SVP) have become famous in Letterkenny for their decorative window displays and massive charity work.

SVP is a charitable organisation that provides financial support to those who are struggling to provide necessities and last year alone donated €100,000 to families in Letterkenny.

Based at Lower Main Street, the team have made spectacular presentations for St Valentine’s, Letterkenny Pride, the Donegal International Rally and many more.

Shop manager Charlene Duddy says that volunteer worker Daiva Misiukevicience is the creative genius behind it all.

“She’s amazing,” Charlene says of Daiva. “She collects items months in advance, everything used is items that have been brought in, we rarely buy anything for it and when the displays come down the items go on sale”.

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Daiva, along with help from other volunteers, would normally spend up to a full day carefully constructing the various exhibits.

“It takes them a long time, but they love it”, Charlene adds. “She even created dresses from materials such as plastic bags, as well as repurposing unused material to create clothing.

Charlene says they’re grateful for everyone taking in unwanted clothes so they can be bought and worn, instead of being wasted.

“Fast fashion has gone too far,” she says. “We’ve taken in clothes that have barely been worn or are brand new from these brands, but at least they’re coming here and not to a landfill.”

“Last Christmas, we were able to donate €100,000 to families in Letterkenny who were then able to buy gifts, food, and other necessities for Christmas. We always give back to the community”.