Volunteers who helped steer us through Covid-19 acknowledged

The enormous contribution made by Meath volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic and their invaluable work and support during a very difficult time was marked last Friday evening by Meath County Council.

Earlier this year, a Volunteer Ireland nomination web portal accepted nominations of volunteers who contributed to their community during the pandemic. Volunteers nominated through the portal attended the event.

The event, held at Buvinda House and MC'd by Rory O’Connor from Rory’s Stories, saw a total of 245 individual volunteers who generously gave their time freely in response to the pandemic, performed a variety of tasks which included cooking and delivering meals, collecting and delivering shopping and prescriptions, bringing people to and from hospital appointments, sourcing and obtaining PPE for vulnerable groups, writing to nursing home residents, and being an ear at the end of the phone for those who needed it, to name but a few.

An Cathaoirleach Cllr. Sean Drew acknowledged and thanked Meath Volunteers, commenting “Volunteers embraced the opportunity to step up in times of need to give something back and embrace the chance to make good use of their time. Thank you for your wonderful contribution and commitment to serving and contributing to the wellbeing of our communities throughout Covid-19 and beyond”.

In conclusion, Deputy Chief Executive Des Foley highlighted the volunteer’s bravery and commitment, “Thank you for dedicating your lives to causes greater than ourselves. You have taught us what it means to be the best version of ourselves”, he concluded with a quotation from An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, “volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless”.