Host of local events for National Volunteering Week
A week long celebration of diversity in volunteering gets underway on Monday next, May 20, with a host of events earmarked for Athlone and other locations around the county.
The theme for National Volunteering Week 2024 is ' Uniquely Us' with a specific focus on exploring the diversity of volunteers who make Ireland what it is.
Among the many events planned locally next week is a Community Volunteer initiative in Kilbeggan on Wednesday, May 22, where Westmeath Volunteer Centre will be supporting Kilbeggan Tidy Towns.
On Thursday, May 23, Westmeath Volunteer centre will be hosting a volunteering information coffee morning in Athlone library, which runs from 10am to 1pm.
Westmeath Volunteer Centre representatives will be on duty again on Friday of next week, May 24, where they will have a stand at the Athlone Careers Fair for Migrant Women, in St Kieran’s Community Centre in Tormey Villas from 9.30am to 1pm, supporting the volunteer group. This event aims to establish a dialogue between migrant women to showcase any vacancies, volunteer opportunities, or graduate programmes.
On Saturday, May 25, Westmeath Volunteers will be supporting the Athlone African Community in their Africa day Celebration in Burgess park, Athlone from 1pm to 8pm .
Sharon Timothy new Westmeath Volunteer centre coordinator commented, “We truly believe that celebrating, not just accommodating, the uniqueness of our volunteers makes our communities stronger and more connected. No matter your age, race, abilities, or status, we want to celebrate your place in the community and the volunteering that you, uniquely, do. National Volunteering Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate all things volunteering - whether you are a volunteer, are thinking about volunteering or simply want to appreciate the incredible impact volunteers have on our lives.”
This National Volunteering Week, which sees them once again partner with Healthy Ireland, will be sharing personal volunteer stories and encouraging people across the country to think about the incredible impact that volunteers have on our communities.
Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke T.D., said “Volunteers across Ireland in all walks of life make an invaluable contribution to society and National Volunteering Week is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge their commitment.