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The 2007 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards Finalists
Christopher Carlin,
17, of Poleglass, Belfast, a senior student at La Salle Boys' School, has dedicated countless hours to volunteering for three different charities: Northern Ireland Children's Enterprise (NICE), The Welcome Centre, and Street Reach.
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He said he was inspired by a parable about how even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. For NICE, Christopher has spent weekends and summer holidays leading "residentials" that enable young people from different religious backgrounds to interact with each other in a fun, friendly and safe environment. Christopher also volunteers regularly at Belfast's Welcome Centre, which provides practical and emotional support to the homeless community, and as a result he has learned important skills about listening without being judgmental.
In addition, Christopher serves his local area through Street Reach, a project that involves cleaning local streets and hosting barbecues to encourage more vibrant communities. Commenting on how his volunteer work has changed him, Christopher said: "Now if I meet a homeless person whilst shopping I will stop, sit beside them and talk, and would not care what others think because I know I make a difference to that person."
Stephanie Carrabine,
17, of Ballina, Co. Mayo, a sixth-year student at St. Mary's Secondary School, raised €60,000 to provide new facilities for a multiple sclerosis therapy centre by organising an event in which more than 400 people agreed to have their heads shaved in exchange for donations.
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Stephanie, whose mother and an uncle are MS sufferers, started by obtaining a garda permit, booking a venue, putting up posters, getting sponsorship cards printed, and working with local media to raise awareness of MS and her fundraising effort. The project soon became Stephanie's summer job as she went from door to door collecting sponsorships and recruited friends and family members to participate.
In addition to raising awareness of MS throughout her community, Stephanie was able to donate €60,000 to upgrade the facilities at the MS Therapy Centre in Sligo, which was established with the help of her uncle at a time when there was no proper services for MS patients in the west of Ireland. "I felt great for starting the appeal, volunteering my time and getting the community involved," she said.
Suzanne Dillon,
18, of Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, a sixth-year student at Salesian Secondary School, has made a difference in the lives of others through a variety of volunteer activities - both at home and abroad. Suzanne was first exposed to volunteering while working for two weeks in a nursing home as part of a youth leadership course.
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After that, she was "hooked," she said. Since then, she has been actively involved with the "Share a Dream" organisation, which provides respite care for chronically and terminally ill children and their families. She travelled to Africa as a volunteer with the Salesian Order, and raised money to help poor Africans by participating in a sponsored fast. And as a member of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, she was recently promoted to cadet leader with responsibility for training children in life-saving skills. Suzanne has inspired her friends to volunteer, as well. "My volunteer work has been a life-changing experience," she said.
Maria Doherty,
Maria Doherty, 18, of Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, a student at St. Joseph's Grammar School in Dungannon, played a leadership role in planning a diverse range of personal and social development activities for young people in her rural community. After participating in a youth leadership training course, Maria and other volunteers developed a number of programmes for young people from five to 16 years old, including a local summer scheme that provided recreational and educational opportunities for 137 children.
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In addition to having fun, the young participants learned about healthy lifestyles, the environment, and living in a diverse society. Maria not only planned activities for the scheme, but also helped find money to pay for it, managed budgets and prepared financial reports. "The project is continuing," said Maria. "It is hoped that we can build on the foundations, to make better provision for children and young people in rural communities like ours in the future."
Clodagh Doyle,
17, of Athy, Co. Kildare, a fifth-year student at Scoil Mhuire has been a volunteer with special needs children since she was 11 years of age. Clodagh began learning gymnastics at the Athy Gymnastics Club when she was a young girl, and often trained alongside young people with special needs. The experience sparked a desire to become a coach and use her talents to help those with disabilities.
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When she was 16, she completed a leader's course and took charge of a group of 20 athletes, some of whom went on to compete successfully at the 2003 Special Olympics World Games. In one example of her dedication, Clodagh took a sign language course in order to help a deaf child realise and enjoy the benefits of gymnastics. "I get unconditional love and acceptance from these children and a great sense of fun," said Clodagh. "They have also taught me how important it is to live life to the fullest and to never settle for second best, not for them and not for me."
Laura Duggan,
16 of Middleton, Co. Cork, a fourth-year student at St. Mary's High School, has devoted much of her summer vacation over the past three years to working with disabled people at a local summer school. Because she has a brother with special needs, Laura knows first-hand the stresses and strains on families of the disabled. But she also appreciates the joy that comes from knowing people like her brother, who "is so happy and is always smiling," she said. So she decided to volunteer at a special summer school for the enjoyment and pleasure of helping others.
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For the past three summers Laura has spent two days a week for seven weeks working as part of a team of 80 volunteers who provide care, love and attention to more than 70 people with disabilities. Laura's work was made even more challenging this year when she developed severe travel sickness and phobia however even that did not put her off her work. "I have learnt that even if you are disabled, you can still have fun, make friends and lead a somewhat normal life," said Laura, who hopes to work with the Cope Foundation in Cork when she finishes school.
Nicola Kavanagh,
18, of Arklow, Co Wicklow, a sixth-year student at St. Mary's College, is an active volunteer with a local Special Olympics club, working with disabled athletes, handling public relations activities, and helping with fund-raising. Nicola was inspired to get involved after seeing an advertisement seeking sports volunteers for the club, which gives disabled persons the opportunity to engage in a range of sporting activities and social events.
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Nicola spends every Friday night assisting club members by leading warm-up exercises, explaining and demonstrating sports, organising athletes into teams, and providing advice and motivation. Nicola serves as the public relations officer on the committee member's board, and is also registered as a volunteer with Ireland's national Special Olympics organisation. On top of all this, Nicola helps raise money to support the club's activities. "To other young people, I would say to get involved in volunteering," she said. "Everything you do is beneficial to yourself and more importantly to others."
James Levis,
17, of Ballydehob, Co. Cork, a fifth-year student at St. Fachtnas De La Salle, Skibbereen, has been involved in fund-raising efforts for numerous charities, including M.S. Ireland, C.L.M. and Schull Inshore Rescue. With the national organisation C.L.M., James accompanied a group of people with disabilities on a trip to Lourdes, France, to help them find strength and healing.
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He also helped out at an "Annual Vintage Weekend" in his local community, which raised almost €10,000 for the charities involved. James, who often recruits friends to help with volunteer events, said he finds great personal benefit and happiness from his service work, which he feels has improved both his interpersonal and communication skills. His message to other young people: "Get out there and help in anyway you can, in small or big amounts, because you're helping others and that's what counts. It makes you feel happy and happiness is good for the health."
Amy Martin,
17, of Finglas, Dublin, a student at St. Michael's Holy Faith, spent her transition year looking after children and adults with special needs at St. Michael's House, and has encouraged other transition-year students to join her volunteer efforts. For 10 years, Amy helped care for her father while he fought a serious illness. After he lost his battle, Amy was inspired to search for another opportunity to help people in need, and found it at St. Michael's House.
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In addition to handling a variety of responsibilities at St. Michaels, Amy volunteered to chaperone special-needs children on a "kindness pilgrimage" to Lourdes, France. Amy also showed initiative in getting others involved by arranging for a representative of the Lourdes Kindness Programme to come to her school to discuss opportunities with transition-year students. "I would like to get more young people involved in working with special-needs children and to get the message through that they shouldn't be afraid but to take it as a challenge," she said. Amy has enjoyed her experiences so much that she is now hoping to pursue a career in social work.
Chris McAllister,
18, of Ballyclare, County Antrim, a final-year student at Ballyclare High School, helped raise funds to benefit needy people in Romania, and then travelled to that country to distribute money, toys and food to orphanages, homes for the elderly, rural villages and schools. Inspired by that experience to become even more involved in volunteer work, Chris worked at the 2006 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Belfast, and is currently engaged in a year of community service at a local old people's home.
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During his week in Romania working for the charity School Aid Romania, Chris not only made deliveries to people in need, but also spent time sharing experiences both with children and the elderly. "In a week of lots of highlights, one moment that stood out for me was meeting a girl in the orphanage the same age as myself and talking to her about her life and things that she found hard to come to terms with," said Chris. "She was so thankful to have someone to talk to and listen to her; it made me feel like I had made a real personal impact with someone."
Ciara McCrink,
19, of Jonesborough, Newry, Co. Down, a final-year student at St. Paul's High School, is the kind of volunteer who takes it upon herself to do something whenever she sees a need. When her youth club was about to close, she decided to keep it going herself. When she learned that a young disabled boy living nearby needed daily physiotherapy, she stepped forward to help.
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Taking on the role as youth club leader was a challenging task for Ciara. Other volunteers had to be recruited to help, leadership courses had to be taken, and keeping the club open every Tuesday and Thursday for 21/2 hours required time, discipline and effort. Helping with her neighbour's physiotherapy was more than just a volunteering job for Ciara, it was a passion and something she felt has to be done to improve the quality of life for this special person. On top of all of this, Ciara also managed to raise £5,500 and travelled to Romania with her school to work for a week in a number of orphanages. "I have learnt how to accept diversity and the importance of team work and how a little help can go a long way," she said.
Kirsty McKenna,
18, of Newry, Co. Down, a final-year student at Our Lady's Grammar School, raised more than £11,000 for two charities to mark the 10th anniversary of her mother's death and to respond to the threatened closure of a local hospice. Kirsty wanted to help both those involved in cancer research and early detection, as well as those who provide palliative care for terminally ill patients and support services for the families impacted.
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After conducting a sponsored walk to raise money, Kirsty decided to organise a more enjoyable event - a "fancy-dress disco" - to further raise awareness of cancer. Kirsty coordinated all of the logistics of the event, including everything from advertising to a sponsored leg wax on the night of the disco. The proceeds from her events went to Action Cancer and Southern Area Hospice Services. Kirsty aims to continue her fund-raising and to start a foundation in memory of her mother. She also encourages others to get involved in volunteering: "You can make a huge difference to someone's life and it only takes a small time out of your life," she said.
Aisling McMullan,
18, of Castlewellan, Co. Down, a final-year student at St. Malachy's, has volunteered for over a year with the Down's syndrome Association, helping with the organisation of day trips and weekend holidays for children with Down's syndrome. Aisling was inspired to get involved partly because her cousin has the condition, and because she would like to be a special-needs teacher one day.
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Her biggest undertaking to date was hosting the "Five-Nations Weekend," a weekend for young people with Down's syndrome from Ireland and the United Kingdom. The event enabled the young people to interact and get to know others with similar disabilities from other nations. Aisling has discovered that people with Down's syndrome often have fantastic talents. "The thing I learned was to never judge a young person by their disability," she said. "Some of my best experiences have happened through volunteering and it doesn't take up all of your time."
James Millea,
16, of Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, a fifth-year student at Ardscoil na mBráithre, set up a local youth committee that has raised more than ?9,000 to benefit children affected by the nuclear-power accident in Chernobyl, Ukraine.
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Shocked by what he saw in a documentary film about the disaster, James became the chairperson of an outreach group made up of the four secondary schools in Clonmel that undertook fund-raising activities such as a non-uniform day in schools, quizzes, bag-packing in supermarkets, school donation boxes, and the sale of a CD. The group also focused on building awareness by showing the documentary in schools, giving talks to both primary and secondary students, and arranging for guest speakers directly involved with children's projects in Chernobyl to visit the schools.
"I was a very shy person, but now I feel I have the confidence to work well with people and lead a team," said James. "I feel I've got more of a purpose outside of academic success."
Aoife Nf Ghoill,
18, of Infs M=r, Oileáin -rann, Co Galway, a sixth-year student in Gairmscofl +inne, Cfll R=náin, mounted a community effort that removed six tonnes of rubbish from nine beaches in her native Oileáin -rann [Aran Islands]. During a walk on one of the beaches, Aoife noticed that litter was spoiling their beauty, and decided to do something about it.
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As an active youth club member and class co-ordinator, she recruited her schoolmates to help, and the project took off. Local agencies and public representatives were contacted for their opinions and assistance. The Galway County Council were persuaded to supply recycling bags, gloves and transport, while the local co-op agreed to provide refreshments. Nearly 40 students, 12 teachers and a dozen other volunteers participated in the cleanup, with work groups assigned to different beaches on the island. "There is a lot of goodwill in my community," said Aoife. "I learnt how to work better with other people and in groups. I achieved something that was beneficial to the general public....I felt good about myself!"
Sasha O'Brien,
Ennis, Co. Clare, a 6th year student of Colaiste Muire, Ennis, raised ?24,000 to increase awareness and discussion of the issue of suicide in her community, after her family was affected by it. In order to tackle the largely taboo subject of suicide, which she felt was a problem in her locality; Sasha organised a variety of fund- and awareness-raising events, including a sponsored walk, a pub quiz, a pub collection and a bag-packing day.
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She then donated the proceeds to a suicide-prevention charity called "the Samaritans," deciding that they were the best people to "use the money to make the community more aware of their existence."
She stresses that young people should have the confidence to give volunteering a go. "Young people like myself do have the power to create change, and it is possible to heighten people's awareness of particular topics," she said. "I'm not afraid to use my initiative and I would enjoy the challenge of making this particular fund-raising activity and annual event."
Philip O'Callaghan,
16, of Castleknock, Dublin, a fifth year student at Castleknock Community College, was inspired by the loss of two close friends, who were sisters, to become involved in fund-raising for Ireland's first children's hospice. To date, he has raised ?6,000, helping to secure land for The Lauralynn Children's Hospice, as well as increased awareness of the need for a place where children can die in dignity and peace.
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Philip has undertaken numerous fund-raising events, including selling bookmarks, assisting with a golf tournament, and conducting an annual talent contest in his school. While each event has raised significant sums of money, it also has educated more and more people about the charity's mission to provide hospice care for children. "I now understand friends, family and, most importantly, l ove," said Philip, "and I see the importance of each of these things in a world where people find it hard to appreciate the simple things."
Emma O'Kane,
17, of Dungiven, Co. Derry, a senior student at St. Patrick's College, was inspired by the support that she received from friends and family following the death of her father to think of those who may not have anyone to support them in difficult times. As a result, Emma serves as chairperson of the St. Vincent De Paul Youth Society, organises events to raise funds to provide for the elderly, and volunteers many hours visiting the sick, the lonely, the addicted and those suffering from disabilities.
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Emma has made a real difference to the lives of certain individuals in her community, including a pupil with special needs whom she has mentored for the past two years, a teenage girl coming to terms with motherhood, and a disabled man in a local residential home. Her volunteer work has made Emma realise "that many troubled and unhappy people are crying out for attention and just want someone to listen to them and make them feel valued again," she said.
Lisa Sheerin,
17, of Whitehouse Park in Derry, a final-year at St. Mary's College, is a dedicated volunteer with St. Vincent De Paul and Amnesty International, and also serves as a class counsellor for first-year students at her school. For St. Vincent De Paul, Lisa has both raised money and provided entertainment for members of a residential home. Lisa is involved in Amnesty's 'Protect the Human' campaign and she has raised £500 for a project to help children in Zambia.
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In her role as class counsellor to a group of first-year students in her school, Lisa has made a tremendous effort to educate the younger students about issues such as drugs and bullying, as well as spending time discussing their concerns. Currently in her final year at secondary school, she is determined to continue to support these and other causes when she goes to university. "The most important lesson I learnt was that my volunteer work was fun, not something I had to do but something I wanted to do," she said. "I would encourage all young people to get involved in some way."
Patrick Travers,
18, of Carnew, Co. Wicklow, a sixth-year student at Coláiste Bhrfde, helped raise awareness and ?7,500 to benefit impoverished people in Africa, and then travelled to Kenya with teachers and other students to see first-hand the living conditions there. After his school "adopted" a charity called "Self Help," Patrick wanted to find out more about poverty in Africa and what he could do to help. Soon after, Patrick began working to increase awareness of the plight of the poor in Africa, and to raise money to alleviate their poverty.
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Patrick's fund raising efforts encompassed a diverse number of activities and events involving many people and much organising. They included building a duck-race circuit, a "non-uniform day" at his school, and an end-of-school-term disco. Patrick's energy and enthusiasm were recognised when he was awarded an elite achievement award at his school, and given the opportunity to travel with fellow students and teachers from schools across Ireland and Belgium to see how the money they raised was being spent. "This whole initiative has been a life changing experience for me," said Patrick. "I never realised the true extent of the poverty, deprivation and suffering." He now plans to return to Kenya this summer to work in local communities there.
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