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Minister of State in the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O’ Brien TD, launched a primary school art competition in association with Volunteer Ireland, calling on students to design artwork to be used to commission a commemorative badge to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers during the pandemic.
When considering their designs, children are asked to think about what volunteering looks like to them, and what does a volunteer do? They will also consider the impact of all types of volunteering in the community during the pandemic across a number of areas and initiatives, including local volunteers, or if any of their family members were involved in volunteering.
Key messages for primary school children were included as a part of the lesson plan which accompanied the competition outline and will provide teachers with the opportunity to discuss the importance of volunteering in the classroom.
There will be four regional winners and one national winner. The national winners design will be put forward for the commemorative badge that will presented to volunteers at event in May. Each winner will a receive gift voucher and the winning National School will receive a grant of €2,000 for sports or art equipment. Winners will be announced in April.
Announcing the competition this week, Minister O’Brien said:
“The design of this commemorative badge is just one of a number of initiatives being planned to acknowledge the extremely valuable contribution of volunteers during the pandemic, from volunteers in testing and vaccine centres, in organisations such as Alone and Aware, and volunteers who took part in the Community Call.”
Minister O’Brien concluded:
“This competition will provide an opportunity for teachers to have a discussion in the classroom on the importance of volunteering in the community, which is currently being highlighted again with volunteers all around the country responding to the Ukrainian crises.”