14Sep

Covid-19 Volunteer Recognition

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Regional events took place all over Ireland last Summer to acknowledge the contribution of local volunteers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kildare volunteers turned out in force for a memorable evening of music and celebration at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge.

Four groups awards were presented (Punchestown Vaccination and Test Centre Volunteers, Naas Order of Malta, Athy Community Spirit and Naas Food Bank) along with 17 individual awards across a wide range of community and voluntary groups.

Award winners received a personal letter of thanks from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and a unique commemorative badge.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who organised, attended and participated in this very special event. It was wonderful to be in a room with all of you again to share stories and mutual respect. We hope you enjoyed your evening. You deserve all of this and so much more

This event was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and held in partnership with Volunteer Ireland and Kildare Volunteer Centre.

24Aug

Ukrainian National Day

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In August we got to spend time with some of our fantastic volunteers supporting our friends in CKLP in hosting a special event for 800 plus Ukrainians in accommodation in Maynooth University to celebrate their National Day.

Just some of the wonderful activities on offer were kite making, face-painting, music, art and dance workshops, sports games, crafting workshops, open mic sessions. There was also a circus performance, an ice cream van and a on-site burger van.

Our wonderful volunteers were on site to help facilitate all these activities and greet all the Ukrainian residents with a warm smile on what was a very emotional day for them. It was fantastic to see volunteers demonstrating the local community support for everybody from Ukraine.

If you would like to join our panel of community volunteers and volunteer at events like this please click here..

A big congratulations to CKLP on a wonderful event

17Aug

People of Kildare asked to nominate Ireland’s Volunteer of the Year

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Nominations are now open for the 2022 Volunteer Ireland Awards and the public is being asked to submit nominations for Ireland’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’. The Volunteer Ireland Awards take place annually and celebrate the immense contribution volunteers make to communities across Ireland. Visit www.volunteer.ie to nominate a volunteer for a Volunteer Ireland Award.

Kildare Volunteer Centre Manager, David Hand, said: “These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary kindness and generosity of Kildare’s volunteers. As we emerge from a pandemic during which volunteers provided crucial supports, volunteers are once again selflessly stepping forward, this time in welcoming and supporting displaced Ukrainian people in communities across Ireland.
“But it’s not just in times of crisis that Kildare’ volunteers make such an outstanding impact. All year round, volunteers are the beating hearts of our community – caring for animals and the environment, helping with sports and cultural events, and supporting the wellbeing of others. The Volunteer Ireland Awards give us a chance to say thank you by celebrating the invaluable contribution volunteers make to Irish society.”

The 2022 Volunteer Ireland Awards are made possible thanks to the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development, and award partners Healthy Ireland.

This year’s Volunteer Ireland Awards will take place in Dublin in December.