Centre on Philanthropy honours volunteers
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Nichoy Desilva was one of the 97 volunteers awarded last night at the Centre on Philanthropy?s annual Volunteer Recognition Reception. This reception allows nonprofit members of The Centre to nominate one adult and one youth outstanding volunteer for the year and honour their contributions.(Photo by Akil Simmons) December 5,2011.
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Shirlene Simmons was one of the 97 volunteers awarded at last night?s annual Volunteer Recognition Reception at ACE. (Photo by Akil Simmons) December 5,2011. This is the sixth year for this event and once again the Governor, Sir Richard Gozney handed out awards, along with the Government Estates and Information Services Minister Michael Scott.
A record number of volunteers from 75 charities and non-profit groups enjoyed their moment in the spotlight, as the Centre on Philanthropy brought together its members in a salute to those who give their time to others.
The recognition ceremony, attended by Governor Sir Richard Gozney, his wife Lady Gozney, and Government Estates Minister Michael Scott, was a chance to thank a spectrum of volunteers.
A total of 93 were awarded for their volunteer work 19 of whom were age 25 and younger.
“It really shows the willingness of people to come forward,” said the Centre’s Executive Director Pamela Barit Nolan. “We have more than 5,000 volunteers registered through our volunteer.bm system, for more than 130 organisations. With Christmas so near we decided to make it a celebration, and so we asked all our members to nominate one adult and one youth volunteer each.”
Last night’s ceremony, hosted by the ACE Group, marked the last big event in the Centre’s 20th anniversary year. It was also observed around the world as International Volunteer Day.
It turned out to be the Centre on Philanthropy’s biggest reception thus far, in six years of awarding volunteers. About 70 were honoured last year, Ms Barit Nolan said.
“It was a combination of increased membership to the Centre and an increased push on our part to show how thankful we are. Given the economy and the environment we’re all in right now, people are recognising how important it is to be thankful.”
For the Centre, it was a chance to recognise a few of its own: volunteer receptionist Betty Butterfield, volunteer finance manager Jane Edgett and social media manager Suzanne Scatliffe. All three found their calling through the volunteer.bm website, and between them have put in 1,200 hours at the Centre.
The volunteers were even served by volunteers, Ms Barit Nolan said: a team of nine served food, including students from the Bermuda High School, CedarBridge Academy and Warwick Academy.
The ceremony of thanks was attended also by the UK’s Tony Bates, head of the Bermuda and Caribbean Section for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Useful website: www.volunteer.bm.
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Published Dec 6, 2011 at 8:55 am (Updated Dec 6, 2011 at 8:54 am)