Kind-hearted store worker's fundraising spirit worth bottling
NOELLE FINEGAN
A FEW months after the deposit return scheme was introduced, butcher Kris Baronia who works in SuperValu, Ashbourne, decided to start a fundraiser collecting bottles in the staff canteen.
He began it at the end of July, gathering bottles in a bin, depositing them in the machine, cashing in the receipts and collecting coins in the charity box for the Jack and Jill Foundation. It was a simple idea and it wasn't long before the collection jar was full and he was calling Jack and Jill to come and empty it. It also wasn't long before customers got word and they have now started bringing in bags of bottles and cans to contribute also.
Kris is originally from the Philippines but moved to Ireland in 2003 and has worked in Supervalu in Ashbourne for 13 years.
He told how his fundraiser came about: "We got the recycling machine outside. I noticed there were a lot of empty bottles and cans in the canteen so I decided to put a bin in the canteen for empty bottles and put a sign on it. I picked a charity and it just took off from there. We decided to do it for Jack and Jill."
Soon after through word of mouth, regular customers in Supervalu started to arrive in to store with bags of bottles and cans to give to Kris for his fundraiser.
He explained that he started it at the end of July and the Jack and Jill Foundation first emptied the charity box on 19th August. He keeps a detailed record of it all in a book. The last donation was on 20th January and since he started it, Kris told how a total of €289.91 has been donated to Jack and Jill.
It's a simple idea and one Kris believes could easily be replicated in other workplaces and canteens and he says he was surprised other companies weren't doing it and he assumed others were.
"Regular customers heard about it by word of mouth and thought it was a good idea and said I have a few bottles for you and that's how it started. I was surprised the way it took off. It just started with a bin in the canteen for bottles of lucozade and water.
"The guy from Jack and Jill was here last Tuesday. He said- I come here every two weeks or so, how come? I showed him the recycle bin and the paper work and he was so happy that we picked Jack and Jill.
"It's good for the shop, it's good for the community and good for the charity," said Kris.
For anyone who would like to contribute, Kris is happy to take donations of bottles and cans for the fundraiser- just call to the butchers counter in Supervalu.