Participants where also given the opportunity to ‘give their community a helping hand’ through a number of organised activities including – stone walling, willow weaving and garden art with pottery tiles.  Claire Doherty, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Carntogher Community Association said, “This event is about celebrating what our volunteers have achieved already and thank them for the 1500 hours of voluntary effort donated to date, and to show everyone in the community what can be achieved through volunteering.  The funding will enable us to recruit and support volunteers in a variety of projects as well as creating new volunteer opportunities.  We value and respect voluntary effort and will continue to do so through the new volunteer project which will run until March 2009.

Jane Gribbin, Development Manager at the Volunteer Development Agency said, “We are delighted to be present at the official launch of the Carntogher Community Association’s Volunteering Project for which funding is administered by the Agency on behalf of the Department for Social Development under the Community Volunteering Scheme.  Volunteering is integral to the fabric of all communities, in particular to rural communities, where the social cohesion and sense of local community depends on individuals donating their free time without thought for personal gain.  On behalf of the Agency we wish you every success with your plans to involve volunteers.”

Volunteer, Liz O’Céannubhaín, said “I got involved with Carntogher Community Association a couple of years ago through my attendance at Irish language courses.

From there I heard about the many other activities that take place and was particularly interested in the  environmental projects.  My volunteering experience has been very fulfilling and has provided me with great opportunities to meet all kinds of people as I am not originally from the area.”