Kildare Volunteer Centre Awards 2024

A celebration to congratulate all the volunteers and volunteer involving organisations and to mark the contribution of volunteering to the community was held at a special ceremony in Renehan Hall on the Maynooth University Campus on Thursday 30th May.

Kildare Volunteer Centre travelled throughout the County meeting the winners for this year’s awards and documenting their commitment and contribution to their community. This year’s National Volunteering Week theme is ‘Uniquely Us’.

David Hand, manager of Kildare Volunteer Center says “we were delighted with the overwhelming response to the call for nominations with over 150 nominations, and a such a difficult task for the judging panel there were joint recipients in some categories. Our huge congratulations to the winners, and a special word of commendation and thanks to volunteers around the County and volunteer involving organsiations who we are proud to work with throughout the year.”

The award winners were presented with a commemorative trophy by Cathaoirleach Daragh Fitzpatrick of Kildare County Council.

This year’s winners are:

Volunteers of the year:

Pa Carey (Leixlip) brightens up his estate and community with a magical Christmas lights extravaganza on his house for visitors and neighbours to enjoy and to raise funds for charity. He hand-makes his decorations all year round and even has Santa come to visit.
Monasterevin businesswoman Jacinta Kenna has volunteered on parent’s school groups, in the community centre, the Christmas Lights, Women’s Shed, Streetfest, Monasterevin Youth Action to name but a few! Any local activities that are organised, you can be sure to find Jacinta at the heart of it. Along with Sharon Hanly, she runs The Peoples Market (which she also founded). This non-profit group runs a seasonal craft market (Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas). Each time they transform the community centre canteen into a community cafe serving handmade treats, with all the proceeds going into the next market. They run raffles for charity and will also provide the cafe for any large events that need it.

Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award

Angela Lane is a retired nurse and lifetime volunteer having acted as a volunteer counsellor for decades. She volunteers with Kildare Alzheimers, local women’s groups, food markets and hosts AONTAS events. Angela also shares knitting and crochet skills with international refugees and asylum seekers in Newbridge.

Volunteer Involving Organisations of the Year

North Kildare Carers Support Group provides support, love and cares to for carers and their families. It is where carers can find comfort and knowing that they are not alone. It invites professionals to give important talks relating to social, family and health issues. It also balances carers lives by organising relaxing and fun events. To many carers, this organisation is the second family to them. The support they provide is so important for families struggling with the many issues involved in caring for a loved one.
Leixlip Youth and Community Centre provides a safe place for people of all ages to go. Somewhere babies, children, teenagers, adults, and elderly can go to socialise and share interests. It is a wonderful place to have in our community run by fantastic, friendly staff and volunteers.

Board Member of the year

Kate Monks has been a leader in her local scout group in Kilcullen for almost 10 years and was selected for her support to the younger sections and a super back up to all leaders throughout the group. Kate has always been there for parents, leaders, and the scouts. She is recognised for her inspiration to other leaders and keeping the group motivated, as well as her diligence and management as group treasurer.

Community Event of the Year

Kildare Wildlife Rescue held the First Kildare Biodiversity Conference was held on 14th October 2023 in The Keadeen Hotel in Newbirdge. Funded with the support of Kildare County Council, this unique event was organised by KWR volunteers and attended by over 100 guests, most of them volunteers of multiple Kildare-based community groups and organisations working towards improving biodiversity in the county.

Community Volunteer of the Year

Angela Tracey is one of the original members of the Community Volunteers, having been involved in their activities in covid vaccination centres and test centres even since before the group was officially formed. Angela is a regular volunteer and this year also stepped forward to take on additional training to make the programme more accessible and inclusive.

Pathway Award

Aoife and Cáitlin (KARE) Aoife Cully and Cáitlin Reilly are the first participants from the new partnership between KVCs community volunteers and KARE services to put their hands up and become active members of our community volunteers. Aoife and Cait joined the Community Volunteers in 2024 and have completed their volunteer training and are fully involved in all the community volunteer events and activities. They are specially commended for their courage and community spirit in taking the step forward to become community volunteers, paving the way for others.