Donegal Volunteer Centre is calling on all groups who involve volunteers to make a special effort to acknowledge their efforts on International Volunteer Day which is celebrated on December 5th each year.
“International Volunteer Day has been designated by the United Nations since 1985”, says Colleen Boyle, Manager of Donegal Volunteer Centre, “with the declared aim to thank volunteers for their efforts, and increase public awareness of their contribution to society.
Voluntary activity benefits us all, and International Volunteer Day is about saying to volunteers-we appreciate all you do for us and our community: thank you for your energy and dedication!”
Donegal Volunteer Centre is calling on everyone to say a big “thank you” to the volunteers in our lives. There are many hundreds of volunteers in County Donegal who are selflessly giving their time and energy to help others. Whatever the area people volunteer –sports, arts, disability, health, befriending, youth, the elderly- volunteers are benefiting their entire community and making Donegal a better place to live.
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Sandra McGeever, Placement Officer with Donegal Volunteer Centre says that many groups are already undertaking events. “I am aware that a number of groups are celebrating International Volunteer Day by having an appreciation evening; presentations of certificates or badges; or sending thank you cards to their volunteers”, says Sandra. “It would be wonderful if more groups did something like this. It can be quite a simple thing, but volunteers are just thrilled by the acknowledgement. I have been at events where volunteers have been thanked and it is both an inspiring and humbling experience to see what a difference the volunteers have made to their community and how valued they are within their organisation.”
For further information on International Volunteer Day or other volunteering matters please contact Colleen or Sandra on 074.9126740.
Donegal Volunteer Centre is part of a national network of Volunteer Centres throughout Ireland which support and promote volunteering. It is funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
Donegal Volunteer Centre is supported by Donegal Local Development Company and Inishowen Development Partnership.
