Let's celebrate and thank Kerry’s Volunteers!

Kerry Volunteer Centre is calling on everyone in Kerry to get involved in this year’s Give it A Swirl Day, the National Day of Volunteering, 25th September 2009. The Day, an initiative of Volunteer Centre’s Ireland and its member Volunteer Centres, traditionally aims to encourage hands on involvement in Volunteering, but this year it has an additional aim to thank, celebrate and recognise volunteering locally and nationally. 

The Volunteer Centre in Kerry has thought up a unique way to facilitate individuals, families and groups who are not in a position to host an event to thank and acknowledge the positive role volunteers and volunteering plays in Kerry. You can thank volunteers and acknowledge the role that volunteers play in Kerry by contacting Kerry Volunteer Centre and request to have your name and if you wish a short thank you message added to a thank you list which will be published on the Volunteer Centre’s website on Give it A Swirl Day Friday, 25 September, for all volunteers and community and voluntary organisation in Kerry to view on www.volunteerkerry.ie.  Registering your thank you is simple you can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , call 066 7117966,  write to or drop into  Kerry Volunteer Centre, 7 Maine Street, Tralee, Co Kerry.  Thank you messages received after the 25th September will be registered and be visible on the website on 4th December in advance of  International Volunteer Day  Saturday 5th December 2009. The initiative will be ongoing in 2010 with names being updated regularly.

Recognition events for community and voluntary organisation registered to date range from Kerryhead/Ballyheigue Family Resource Centre having children in their afterschool homework clubs make thank you cards for the volunteers and present them at a party in the afternoon for volunteers. Shannow Family Resource Centre have organised a tree planting ceremony, to which all current and past volunteers are invited, to celebrate and acknowledge the central role they have played, play and will play in the provision of community services.  Ballyspillane Family Resource Centre are developing and launching a volunteer wall/hall of fame to celebrate and recognise volunteers involvement in the establishment and on going development of the Centre , whilst South West Kerry Family Resource Centre are inviting all volunteers to a thank you morning whereby staff and management committee members  together with volunteers will celebrate the achievement of volunteers to date over refreshments, individuals interested in volunteering with South West Kerry FRC are invited to drop in. Listowel Family Resource Centre are organising a morning celebration to thank and reflect on the achievements and roles of their volunteers as is the Caha family Resource Centre.

If you wish to celebrate volunteering in a more active and physical way you can participate in ‘Give it A Swirl – Dance the Street’ event in Denny Street Tralee staring at 6.30pm on Friday, the National Day of Volunteering, 25th September. The Give it A Swirl event is attempting to get volunteers to dance into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Hands on volunteer projects will also be happening on National Volunteer Day. For example projects involving primary and secondary school children will be happening in schools throughout Kerry for example Lauragh N.S, School, Scoil Eoin Tahilla and Knockaderry NS, Colaiste Na Sceilge Cahirciveen, Pobal Scoil Inbhear Sceine,  Kenmare, Killarney Community College,  Coolick N.S to name but a few. Whilst Tidy Town Groups such as that in Killarney will be also undertaking projects.

Kerry Volunteer Centre is actively encouraging all individuals, communities, organisations, schools and businesses in Kerry to celebrate and recognise volunteering on Give it a Swirl Day, Friday 25th September 2009.