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Christmas is a hugely important time for Ireland's charities. This is particularly true this year, with the Covid-19 pandemic having curtailed many of the typical fundraising activities carried out during 2020. That's why we've decided to make this week's issue of Dublin Chamber Weekly a Charities Special - to let you know about all the great opportunities that are available to let you lend a helping hand this Christmas. Take a look and please support where you can.

Also in this issue, we have details of the many great virtual events coming up for you over the coming weeks, plus lots more member news.

Don't forget, if you have any company news or offers that you'd like to see featured in Dublin Chamber Weekly, please send it to us. 

We hope you enjoy this week's issue.

iCare at Christmas is Homecare Independent Living's dedicated campaign to provide gifts to children, teenagers and adults who are at risk of homelessness. ​The campaign is run closely with Homecare Housing. You might consider buying a gift, making a financial contribution or becoming a supporter. See here for more details on how you can help.

This year, the iCare Charity team are bringing the Santa experience to you. Catch up with Mr and Mrs Claus via a personalised video or receive a personalised letter from Santa sent straight from the North Pole. More details here.

Join us next Tuesday (1st of December) at 3pm for an exciting virtual event with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar. As we approach the end of a dramatic and challenging year for businesses, the Tánaiste will give Dublin Chamber members an overview of the current and future economic and policy challenges facing him in his brief, and their implications for the Dublin business community. This event is kindly sponsored by Fujitsu. Book here.

Wear a Christmas jumper and help Ireland’s sickest children in CHI at Temple Street and Crumlin. It really is that simple. On Friday 11th December, Childrens Health Foundation want to make this National Christmas Jumper Day the best one ever. All it takes is getting your co-workers on board to help lift festive spirits and raise much needed funds for sick children. Find out more here.

This Christmas, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is running a fundraising and awareness appeal around Jack, a young man who had his future ahead of him but was involved in a horrific road accident. The fundraising from this campaign will be used to provide services for brain injury survivors that are similar to the services we provided Jack. Additionally, the campaign is about bringing awareness to brain injury survivors. There are 150,000+ people living in Ireland with an acquired brain injury. This campaign aims to help as many of them as possible. Please click here to give your support.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland's virtual tree gives you the opportunity to share a memory and dedicate a message to a loved one at this special time of year. By lighting up a star you are helping to keep their memories alive and also helping The ASI to support the 500,000 families in Ireland who have a loved one with Dementia. There are 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland. For many families, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is the only place to turn to for support. Find out more here.

At Peter McVerry Trust, they know that with the right chance, a good opportunity or just an open door, the people they support out of homelessness can change their story for the better. The Trust supports families and individuals into their own homes and on to a new chapter in their lives, so they can leave homelessness behind them for good. This year they are asking businesses to support them to help people on to this new chapter in their lives, through specialised support, educations and learning as well as training and employment support. You can support here.  

Did you miss out on one of our great webinars this week? Don't worry, we have got you covered! 

Ken Bowles, CFO, Smurfit Kappa was the guest speaker at our Leaders webinar last Friday. Ken spoke about his career with Smurfit Kappa and how he has navigated the recent challenges of the Covid-19 crisis and the importance of leading on the green agenda. Watch it back here.

Joe Heneghan, CEO of Revolut Ireland was the guest speaker at our Tech Talks event on Tuesday. Joe gave us the inside scoop on Revolut's hugely successful mobile app and the future of banking. Watch it here.

Garda Assistant Commissioner Anne Marie Cagney, who was recently appointed with responsibility for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, joined us yesterday for a special webinar on Making Dublin Safer. She discussed he range of issues facing her and the Gardaí in Dublin at present. Watch it back here. 

• • • 1st December ¦ Tánaiste Leo Varakdar Talks to Business. Book here. 
    • 7th December ¦ Monday Wellness with Niall Breslin. Book here. 
    • 8th December  Developing SME ‘resilience’ through digitalisation in a COVID/post-Covid Environment. Book here. 
    • 9th December ¦ Maximise your Dublin Chamber Membership. Book here.
    • 14th December ¦ Martin Fraser Talks to Business. Book here. 
    • 18th December ¦ Virtual Business Network with Kingsley Aikens. Book here. 

Join us on Monday 7th December @12pm when Dublin Chamber's Rob Cullen will be speaking live with one of Ireland’s most formidable and inspiring mental health advocates and public speakers, Niall Breslin. Niall’s personal experience has informed his journey which has seen him become a leading figure in mindfulness for individuals and organisations. Book now.