Offaly celebrates National Volunteering Week in style
National Volunteering Week 2024 was an extraordinary celebration of the unwavering spirit of volunteers and the diverse organisations they enrich across the local community. The week-long event in Offaly, with the theme #UniquelyUs, showcased the contributions of volunteers and the incredible impact they have on our society.
The Chairperson of Offaly Volunteer Centre (OVC), Dymphna Bracken, said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Offaly for making National Volunteering Week 2024 an inspiring success. From Tullamore to Edenderry, and all the towns and villages across our beautiful county, your support and enthusiasm were palpable.”
OVC Manager Deirdre Fox emphasised that “only together, we can continue to make a positive impact in this wonderful Faithful County of ours.”
Monday: Buzzing About Bees
Offaly Volunteer Centre (OVC) kicked off the week at the Garden of Peace and Produce in National Learning Network Tullamore, where their dedicated Ukrainian volunteers have been nurturing a special project for nearly two years. Joined by the Sustainability Team from Steris, who generously donated fruit trees last year, they were thrilled to showcase the fruits of their kindness.
Tuesday: Delighting in Diversity
On Tuesday, OVC celebrated diversity by launching the newly-established Tullamore Ukrainian Society. The enthusiastic committee members, Bohdana Tarasiuk, Natalia Zapata, Yulia Shylko, Tatiana Kucherenke, Olga Baieva, Ohla Boiko, and Inna Polovebs, are eager to make a difference. OVC also launched Offaly's first Offaly Africa Day, in collaboration with Offaly Africa Support Group.
“This showcase of African culture will take place on June 1 in O'Connor Square, featuring music, food, crafts, and more!” Deirdre Fox said, and extended a special thanks to Samson Osumah, Anna Heagney, and Gloria Akinsade for “the honour of this launch.”
Tuesday: Grand Canal Walk & Workshop
Also on Tuesday, OVC joined forces with the Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC) for a walk and photography workshop led by the talented Tom O'Hanlon. The participants marvelled at the natural beauty of the local waterways and appreciated the nurturing power of nature.
"It was an enriching experience," said OVC Board Member and amateur photographer Malachy Mangan. "As a photography enthusiast, I soaked up all the advice Tom had to offer. His insights on capturing the essence of nature were invaluable”
Thursday: Crafting Capable Communities
Thursday in Edenderry saw the dream team of OVC and OLDC concluding a series of workshops entitled “Crafting Capable Committees”. Aware of the challenges volunteers face with bureaucracy, they emphasised the importance of professionalism.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our community, and equipping them with the right tools is crucial for success,” said Deirdre Fox.
Friday: Honouring Everyday Heroes
Friday was spectacular with OVC’s "All Heroes, No Capes" event, celebrating Offaly Community First Responders and Defibrillator groups. OVC Development Officer, Nina Horan, said: “We learned from these life-saving volunteers, who are part of 135 registered groups across Ireland, powered nationally by 2,503 volunteers.”
These trained heroes respond to emergency calls, providing critical support in the vital minutes before an ambulance arrives.
Saturday: Coffee on the Quays
Saturday featured OVC’s signature "Coffee on the Quays" event, where Deirdre Fox presented OVC’s new Strategy document and the 2023 End of Year Report. “This gathering highlighted our achievements and goals for the next three years. We were grateful for the attendance and dedication of our Board Members, and all volunteers, whose unwavering support propels our mission forward,” Deirdre said.