National Volunteering Week officially kicked off this morning with the launch of How Irish Communities Stepped Up To The Mark: Stories Of Irish Volunteering During COVID-19. This collection of stories showcases the impact of volunteering on all corners of society in recent months and the efforts of local Kerry based Volunteers and Voluntary Groups feature strongly.
According to Geraldine O Sullivan, Kerry Volunteer Centre Manager “since March, volunteers have been a vital part of the response to COVID-19 in Kerry and beyond, and as we start of National Volunteering Week 2020, it’s important to thank and recognise volunteers for their steadfast service. This collection of stories provides a snapshot of the incalculable differences and impact that volunteers all over Ireland made during the COVID-19 pandemic and it is right and fitting to see Kerry’s volunteers included.”
It is important to showcase the impact and difference volunteers made, from delivering shopping, making face masks or phoning those in isolation for a simple chat – volunteers made sure no-one was left behind. Volunteers like Josephine Finn made masks for her local community in Dingle, Owen Rua entertained locals in lockdown with his music, Tom Dillion was part of the Volunteer army that enabled the huge scaling up of Meals on Wheels services all over Kerry. There is no doubt that in every community, volunteers made a difference.
Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, added “I’m delighted to be involved in launching what I hope will be a week when volunteers across the country feel especially valued and recognised. This week is all about volunteers and this collection of stories showing the impact of volunteering in recent months is another way of highlighting the tremendous work that has been done. Take time for yourself and remember that this week is all about you and your well-being.”
Along with the launch of the story collection, this week will see a host of free wellness events for volunteers In Kerry to thank them for their efforts. For full details see Kerry Volunteer Centre’s Facebook Page and volunteerkerry.ie
