CULLEN and DISTRICT SPECIAL NEEDS ASSOCIATION

Our 36 ^th Annual Christmas Mass and Party took place on Saturday last,Dec.3rd  in Cullen Community Centre^..    Weather conditions were perfect and a large number of our special friends attended with their families, friends or carers attended, from afar as Mallow and Kanturk to Newmarket, Millstreet  and Gneeveguilla.

Mass was celebrated by Canon Jack Fitzgerald, and the local Choir added to the celebration with appropriate Christmas hymns and carols. Good food, music and dancing kick-started the festive season for all present, whose energy and enthusiasm could put many to shame. Our DJ Andrew Lynch supplied some wonderful disco music and contributed in no small way to the success of the party. As usual each guest received a gift. Dr.Pat Casey had a busy evening as he made the presentations and he thanked everybody who helped to make the Party such a success.   A group of ladies from the Kanturk branch of the Red Cross, returned again this year offering hand massage and hail painting to all guests, and this was very much enjoyed and appreciated

Many thanks to all who came and supported the afternoon to make it such a success.

Cullen and District S.N.A. wish all their special friends, supporters and sponsors all the Joys and Blessings of Christmas with the best of health and happiness in the New Year

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CULLEN and DISTRICT SPECIAL NEEDS ASSOCIATION

Our 35^th Annual Christmas Mass and Party took place on Saturday Dec.5^th in Cullen Community Centre. In spite of the wind and rain we were thrilled with the turn out from afar as Mallow and Kanturk to Newmarket, Millstreet and Gneeveguila. A large number of our special friends with their families, friends or carers attended.

Mass was celebrated by Canon Jack Fitzgerald, and the local Choir added to the celebration with appropriate Christmas hymns and carols. Good food, music and dancing kick-started the festive season for all present, whose energy and enthusiasm could put many to shame. Our DJ Andrew Lynch supplied some wonderful disco music and contributed in no small way to the success of the party. As usual each guest received a gift. Dr.Pat Casey had a busy evening as he made the presentations and he thanked everybody who helped to make the Party such a success. Great credit is due to the organising committee and the many helpers who did trogan work behind the scenes to ensure that everything was in order for the evening. A new addition this year was a visit from a group of ladies from the Kanturk/Millstreet branch of the Red Cross offering hand massage and nail painting to all guests, and this was very much enjoyed and appreciated

Many thanks to all who came and supported the afternoon to make it such a success.

 

Cullen and District S.N.A. wish all their special friends, supporters and sponsors all the Joys and Blessings of Christmas with the best of health and happiness in the New Year

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Contact Geff O’Sullivan

087 2568522

(picture by Karen O’Sullivan)

 The organising committee

of the

Cullen & District Special Needs Association

at the recent presentation of cheques

on the

final night of the 

Weigh-In’ on Monday March 23rd 2015.

Just to inform you our Zumba classes finish on March 9th 2015.

There will also be no weigh in on the 16th March 2015.

The Weigh-in will conclude on March 23rd 2015. There will be a presentation of trophies to the winners of weight loss and sponsorship collected.
There will also be a presentation of cheques to the representatives of centers caring for those with special needs.

Sponsorship cards can also be returned at any stage.

CULLEN and DISTRICT SPECIAL NEEDS ASSOCIATION

The Christmas season got off to a fantastic start in the newly renovated and attractively decorated Cullen Community Centre on Sat. Dec 6^th when the 34^th Annual Special Needs Association Christmas Mass and Party proved to be another memorable occasion. Mass was celebrated by Canon Jack Fitzgerald, accompanied by Susan O’Connor, and the local choir adding to the occasion. Afterwards there was plenty of food, music and craic to pass the afternoon, including a brilliant disco with D.J. Andrew Lynch.  There was no scarcity of dancers among the guests who also contributed songs.

 The highlight for many was when Dr. Casey finished off the evening by presenting each one of our special friends with a Christmas gift. It is always a wonderful day for families and carers. Despite the absence of a number of regulars, some of whom had gone to their eternal reward and others who were indisposed through illness, a large number attended. Many renewed old acquaintances, as this evening attracts a regular clientele from outside the area. Once again the committee excelled themselves in staging this event, and they would like to thank everybody who ensured that the evening was so successful. A special thanks to all sponsors, helpers and the media who promote our events.

We are indebted to the many people who have given so generously of their time, their talents and their resources over the years .

Cullen and District Special Needs Association wish all their Special Friends, their Supporters and Sponsors all the Joys and Blessings of Christmas with the best of Health and Happiness in the New Year.

(Moira O’Keeffe. Sec.)

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CULLEN and DISTRICT SPECIAL NEEDS ASSOCIATION;

The Christmas season got off to a great start in Cullen on Sat. Dec. 7^th when the Cullen and District special Needs Association hosted the 33^rd  annual Christmas Mass in the newly renovated Cullen Community Centre, which was much admired and appreciated by all guests. The sun shone brightly as all assembled for Mass celebrated by Canon Jack Fitzgerald, P.P. with the local choir and organist Susan O’Connor, adding to the celebration and making it such a special and meaningful occasion. Chairperson Breda O’Riordan welcomed all and was delighted to see such a great crowd.

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Annual Sponsored Weigh in. 2013

The grand finale of our 28th Annual Weigh in was on Monday Mar. 25th, when a large number of participants eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners in the different categories. Dr. Pat Casey was kept busy calculating the weight loss of the different participants, while the officers collected sponsorship cards and money. There was a great party atmosphere, as refreshments were served and wonderful music played by our faithful group of musicians, who are a joy to dance to or just to listen to their fine music.
Results as follows:-

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The grand finale of our 28th Annual Weigh is on Monday Mar. 25th, when a large number of participants will eagerly await the announcement of the winners in the different categories.

We appeal to all who took sponsorship cards to return them on or before March 25th when trophies, again generously sponsored by Robert Guerin, Ballydaly, will be presented to winners: – 1st , 2nd , 3rd to both ladies and gents for weight loss and 1st , 2nd , 3rd for Sponsorship collected.

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CULLEN and DISTRICT ANNUAL SPONSORED WEIGH-IN 2010

1979 – 2010

by

Moira O’Keeffe

It was all systems go in Cullen Community Centre on Mon. Feb.1st for the 25th annual sponsored weigh in. It was great to renew acquaintances from previous years and also to welcome many new faces. It was a big night for us as the weigh in had been postponed by two weeks due to the inclement weather in January.

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CULLEN and DISTRICT SPECIAL NEEDS ASSOCIATION

1979 – 2006

Annual Sponsored Weigh in.

The grand finale of our Annual Weigh in was on Monday Mar. 20th, when a large number of participants eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners in the different categories. They are as follows:-

Weight Loss; Ladies – 1st Mary Buckley, Rathcoole, 31 lbs.
2nd Julianne Daly,Clongeel, 21 lbs.
3rd Eileen Murphy, Shanacknuck, 19 llbs

Gents – 1st Patrick Fleming, Renasup, Gneeveguilla 32 lbs.
2nd Pat Hickey, Nohovaldaly, Rathmore 31 lbs.
3rd Con O’Keeffe, Banteer 24lbs.

Money Collected:- 1st Mary O’Brien, Carrigaline, € 770.00
2nd Pat Hickey, Nohovaldaly, Rathmore € 700.00
3rd Nora Ryan, Ard Mhuire, Rathmore, € 500.00

Total Money collected: – €14,000.00. Total Weight Lost :- 1,206 lbs.

Trophies were presented to all the above winners.

Many thanks to all our wonderful participants, sponsors and all who contributed in any way to the success of this annual event.

Special mention is merited by Hannah O’ Connor who has just completed her 10th year looking after and guiding the popular aerobic classes and whose contribution to the success of the Weigh-in is immense.

Our talented musicians never let us down, we know we can always depend on Kathleen O’Keeffe, Marie Casey, Finbar Murphy, Seamus Buckley and towards the end we were joined by the Linehan Family and friends from Millstreet.

Special mention was made of the late Alice O’Sullivan, Lisnaboy when her recent death was referred to. She was a true friend of the Association from the beginning in 1979 and always supported the many fundraising functions and events that are ongoing. Her pleasant smile and her warm hand of friendship will be sadly missed from all these events. Sympathy was extended to the O’Sullivan Family who are so actively involved in the Association. May she Rest in Peace.

The origins and history of:

Cullen & District Friends of the Handicapped

For decades past parents and families of mentally handicapped children had soldiered alone to care for their special children. With the advent of Community Care and community involvement in all aspects of Christian living, group at local level would be of tremendous benefit to everyone involved. Inspired by the wonderful work being done by other enthusiastic groups in outlying parishes under the auspices of Cork Polio, the wheels were set in motion for a new initiative in this respect.

Officials from Cork Polio and General After-care Association were invited to attend the inaugral meeting which took place in Cullen Community Centre (The Old Technical School) on April 10th 1979. Attendance by the local community exceeded all expectations which was very heartening indeed. Cork Polio officials present were John Birmingham, John Teegan, Con Dennehy and Mrs Dennehy. They presented a very informative programme consisting of an introduction talk by John Birmingham followed by a slide presentation showing the work being done by Cork Polio in the care of the mentally handicapped.

A local committee was formed. The first elected officers of the newly formed “Association for Parents and Friends of the Mentally Handicapped” were as follows:

President : Fr Tom Pierse, C.C, (Cullen)
Chairperson : Geoff O’Sullivan
Vice Chairperson : Kit Hickey
Secretary :Brendan Murphy
Assistant Secretary :Peg Murphy
Treasurer :Mary O’Sullivan
Members included :Peggy O’Riordan, Kathleen O’Sullivan, Phyllis O’Connor, Margaret
Goulding, Eileen Murphy, Margaret Fitzgerald, Therese Murphy,
Bridgit Hickey, Sean & Nellie Murphy, Sean O’Sullivan, Noreen
Dennehy, Mary Forde and Nora O’Connor.

MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENTS

THE OLD-TIME THRESHING:

Having established the existence of a compact committee and a much larger support group, it was decided to plan a major fundraising event. Many ideas were proposed, but the final choice was an old time threshing and vintage exhibition, which became known as “The Gala Harvest Afternoon”

SPONSORED WEIGHT LOSS:

The Sponsored Weight Loss is the greatest fund raising event that we have each year. No. 1 is is most enjoyable where all participants meet on the first night to join up, they are weighed by Dr Pat Casey, Millstreet. Each person is given a card showing their weight on the night and after a little chat with the Doctor their ideal and target weight is also written on the card. They are then weighed every Monday night and their cards are marked by Dr Casey. It is quite easy to know how each person is doing because Dr Casey being a very jolly man asks for a round of applause for those who have lost weight .
Each night before they are weighed, the participants have the opportunity of taking part in an Aerobics Class. For those not interested in Aerobics but who like dancing, can dance to Polka sets or any other dance while shedding the pounds.

Our aim is to build a respite centre for the handicapped. We have purchased a site in Cullen with the money collected by our participants.