Voluntary activity is a very important component of a healthy and caring democratic society.  Without active volunteers, communities cannot flourish.  Events like today’s celebrations are therefore important in highlighting voluntary efforts, said Marjan Boers from the Meath Volunteer Centre at the ‘Celebration of Volunteering’ event in the Solstice.
It was a timely event as the celebrations took place on the day that the news was received from Minister John Curran T.D., that the centre would receive funding of €122,963.00 to continue their services into 2010.

Michael Ludlow, CEO Meath Partnership highlighted the significance of the work of volunteers in the community sector and reiterated the importance of development agencies in the county working together to strengthen the volunteering infrastructure.
So far this year, a total of almost 500 individuals have registered with Meath Volunteer Centre to volunteer and over 130 organisations have registered looking for volunteers to assist them. Nationally between the 20 Volunteer Centres there has been an increase of more than 70% per cent on last year’s registrations.
Through the tunes played by Castletown Accordion Orchestra, Volunteers Tony and Kathleen spoke of the benefits to them of volunteering, they both found that it is not always about giving others a hand, but about what they get out of it on a personal, skills and social level.
Volunteering opportunities range from charity shops, board members, facilitators, website designers, fundraisers, project managers, administrators, beauticians, virtual volunteers to befriending and youth work.
RehabCare’s, Community Service Manager, Martin McLaughlin shared with the audience that the volunteers have made a huge difference to the service users and have brought fun and different activities to the centre, but he also stated that volunteering can build confidence, explore new skills, and be a new way into employment.