Oxfam Ireland calls on decluttering public to do the #JoeyChallenge4Oxfam

Charity shops call for donations ahead of June 8th reopening

Oxfam Ireland has launched a fun challenge – the #JoeyChallenge4Oxfam - to encourage people to declutter and save their donations for when the charity’s shops in the Republic of Ireland reopen on June 8th. The Joey Challenge encourages people to showcase their unwanted items by re-creating the infamous scene from popular television when Joey Tribbiani puts on as many layers of clothes as possible.

At the start of April, along with many other businesses, Oxfam Ireland made the difficult decision to close its network of shops – to protect staff, volunteers and customers – and to play its part in the country’s response to COVID-19.

Trevor Anderson, Director of Trading with Oxfam Ireland said: “Our shops play a vital role in raising much-needed funds for our work globally – they are central to ensuring we can continue to protect and support some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

“Today, we are calling on people to drop their donations of clothes, accessories and bric-a-brac to their local Oxfam. Ahead of opening our doors on June 8th, our staff and volunteers will be in the shops getting them safety-ready to recommence business and they will gladly accept your pre-loved items.

“The reality is, after more than two months of closure – your donations are needed more than ever – especially as we respond to the threat of COVID-19 in some of the most fragile places on earth.”

So, how does Oxfam’s Joey Challenge work?

First things first, if you haven’t already, get decluttering! Oxfam shops accept clothes, shoes, accessories, bric-a-brac, books, DVDs and more. Once you have gathered your items for donation show Oxfam what you’ve got – Joey style! Take a photo of you and your donations and post it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #JoeyChallenge4Oxfam, making sure to nominate a friend. You can go original by putting on as many layers of clothing as possible, or try one of Oxfam’s alternative (and fun) Joey Challenges:

• The Joey Original: Layer on as many of the clothes and accessories you are going to donate as possible.
• The Joey Fresh: Hang all the clothes you are going to donate on your washing line or over your staircase’s bannister or over your arms!
• The Joey Traditional: Simply fold and pile the clothes you are doing to donate – let’s see how high you can go!
• The Showy Joey: Put on a fashion show and model some of the items you are going to donate.
• The Novel Joey: Just donating books?! Stack ‘em up – or build something with them!
• The Joey Mishmash: Gather the bric-a-brac you are going to donate.
• The Joey Freestyle: Show us what you got in your own unique way!

Once you have completed your Joey Challenge box or bag up your unwanted items and drop them to your nearest Oxfam shop. While our doors don’t open until June 8th, staff will be in store from June 2nd, ready to accept your donations.

Next step? Feel good about this. Your pre-loved items are a lifeline. By donating to your local Oxfam, you are playing a part in Oxfam’s global work to beat poverty and fight inequality – which is now more urgent than ever as COVID-19 reaches vulnerable and at-risk populations. Lastly, you’ll also be reducing the amount of textiles that ends up in Irish landfills every year – helping our planet and people.

To find out more about the #JoeyChallenge4Oxfam visit: https://stories.oxfamireland.org/joeychallenge4oxfam/

Shop opening hours may vary in the initial weeks after re-opening - so please bear with us as we restart business.

Ends

Contact

Caroline Reid, External Communications Coordinator |caroline.reid@oxfam.org| 087 912 3165

Notes to the editor

*We are hoping to officially reopen our shops in the Republic of Ireland from June 8th / Phase two of Ireland's roadmap – however this is dependent on Friday's announcement and whether the government green light the next phase of reopening.

We are still waiting on government recommendations on reopening in Northern Ireland.

Find your local Oxfam shop: https://www.oxfamireland.org/shops

What can I donate? https://www.oxfamireland.org/shop/donate-to-shops

Safety measures Oxfam Ireland Shops will be taking:

•  All shops will have a suite of PPE: sneeze screens in front of the tills, social distancing measures and messaging throughout the store  and a sanitation station at the entrance.

• Staff and volunteers will wear masks and they will have an infrared thermometer in each shop to ensure regular check-ups - as well plenty of handwashing - throughout the day.

• We do expect a surge in donations and have put guidelines and processes in place to manage this eventuality.

• As part of the overall ‘Covid Compliant Reopening Plan’ which focuses on the Health & Safety of our Staff, Volunteers, Customers and Donors all stock donations will be quarantined for 72 hours before going on sale.

• All shops have had a risk assessment carried out and all staff and volunteers will be taken through COVID-19 Compliant Health & Safety training before they start their shift.