The Vincent's charity shop in Clara received the 2023 Team of the Year Award in the St Vincent de Paul Mid West Region (Limerick, Clare, Offaly, Tipperary). Pictured at the presentation of the awards were Doreen Loane, Manager of the Vincent's shop in Clara and Margaret Fleming (centre) with Dermot McGilloway, SVP National Retail Development Manager and Suzanne McNamara O’Reilly, SVP Mid West Region Retail Manager

Clara to celebrate local spirit with Community Showcase

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Residents of Clara and surrounding areas are invited to come together in a celebration of community pride and collaboration at an upcoming Clara Community Showcase.

The event, which is being organised by the local branch of the St. Vincent de Paul, in partnership with the Offaly Local Development Company and Offaly Volunteer Centre, takes place on Saturday, May 31 next from 2pm to 5pm at the Clara GAA Centre.

The main aim of this novel event - which is being held under the banner of 'Together We Thrive' - is to shine a spotlight on the vibrant range of local groups, services, and businesses that form the heartbeat of the community. The showcase is a free event open to all ages, with refreshments provided and a raffle offering exciting prizes.

Exhibitors on the day will include Clara Family Resource Centre, Saint Vincent De Paul, Clara Fire Brigade, McManus Pharmacy, Londis, Clara Soccer Club, Innov8 Labs, LOETB and many other groups and businesses.

Attendees will have the chance to explore stands, meet local group leaders and volunteers, and discover new ways to engage with the services and initiatives that support Clara.

“Together We Thrive” was chosen as the slogan of the day to reflect the event’s emphasis on unity, community involvement, and mutual support. The Clara Community Showcase is an ideal opportunity for long-time residents and those new to the area to connect with the people and organisations making a difference in their local area.

One of the main organisers of the event, David McLoughlin, said he was unaware of the amount of work St. Vincent de Paul carries out in Clara until he joined the organisation in recent months as a result of an interaction with Joe Maher, President of the local branch.

David is encouraging the local community to come along to the showcase on May 31 next to meet all the groups, services and businesses that Clara has to offer. "This is a free event that is organised to knit the community together further and make people aware of all the supports that are available in the Clara area. This Showcase event brings people, businesses, groups and services together in the one building and gives everyone an opportunity to network further” he said.

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