Post-pandemic appeal for volunteers

APPEAL Vincent’s Cavan to launch volunteer drive August 19

Maureen Fitzpatrick didn’t think twice when the opportunity to "give something back" to St Vincent de Paul presented itself. After all, the local charity had unquestioningly stepped in to offer support when a close family member required the organisation’s assistance some years earlier.

"I’ll never be able to thank them enough," reflects Maureen. "That’s why I volunteer, because I couldn’t ever repay them any other way."

The grandmother of 10 has been volunteering with Vincent’s on Cavan Town’s Bridge Street for the best part of six years now.

Though diminutive in stature, Maureen has a big heart, and even larger personality. It is the perfect combination for someone volunteering at a shop selling pre-loved goods at affordable prices, while helping to support people disconnected by poverty in the local community.

"The craic!" Maureen adds enthusiastically, when asked what else draws her to giving up time from her week to volunteer. "They’re all so lovely in here. You have the craic with customers too."

Another volunteer, Patricia Riordan, has been working with Vincent’s in Cavan Town for almost a decade all told.

She states that Vincent’s Cavan is "more than just a shop", serving too as a social "outlet" for many. "Some people come in only for the chat. But that’s as important for them as anything else."

During her second stint, 18 months in, Patricia sadly lost her husband Cathal through illness.

After Cathal’s passing, Vincent’s workers formed a guard of honour, and Patricia remembers that kind gesture with both sadness and fondness.

"It was such a lovely thing, and it was left open to me, when I was ready, to come back. I really appreciated that. It's somewhere for me to get up and get out to, and I do like talking to people. It’s nice too to feel like you’re giving something back as well."

But Léan Brady, manager at Vincent’s Cavan, says more help is needed, and believes it is impossible to put a price on the support and benefit that volunteers bring.

The Cavan Town store, like others throughout the country, welcomes a steady stream of daily customers, and on top of that gratefully receives large quantities of donations, which need sifting and sorting through before making their way onto the shop floor.

Through their involvement, volunteers can learn a range of transferrable skills and valuable experience perfect for other future job opportunities.

The Cavan shop will host its first post-pandemic volunteer drive in the hope of attracting "new faces" this coming Friday, August 19, from 10am. "Volunteers are our life-blood," says Léan, who began working as manager with Vincent’s Cavan nearly two years ago. "Everyone is welcome."

New volunteers are asked to give just three hours or more of their time each week.

Léan says that Vincent’s will offer both training and support for all new volunteers, and adds that it can be a "great way to gain experience. You can learn about customer service, merchandising, pricing, branding, sales, teamwork, and great communication skills as well."

She adds: "[Volunteering] is a great opportunity to meet people and for you to leave a positive footprint within your own community through St Vincent de Paul. We’d love to add some new faces to the great team we already have. It’s an opportunity too to help the good work the charity continues to do directly in our community. Every hour given can make such a huge difference."