Nearly 400 registered for Volunteer Bahamas

Wed, Nov 23rd 2011, 08:42 AM

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced yesterday that there are nearly 400 registered volunteers for Volunteer Bahamas, a program designed to harness the generosity of Bahamians and residents of The Bahamas.
Ingraham revealed the volunteer initiative in his national address on crime in October.
The program, which began on November 1, will provide guidelines for the training and utilization of volunteers, as well as guidelines for those volunteering their time and talents.
"Through Volunteer Bahamas we seek to firstly create safer, healthier and more non-violent communities, and secondly, build on existing community building initiatives of churches, corporate citizens, charities, clubs...and private individuals," said Ingraham during the official launch ceremony of Volunteer Bahamas held at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort on West Bay Street.
"Volunteer Bahamas includes community service in many and diverse areas of national life.  From mentoring young men and women, to caring for the elderly, to environmental protection and the preservation of Bahamian heritage.
"It means simply, giving of our time, our talents and our treasures."
The prime minister said the initiative will help to not only build a more peaceful and non-violent community but also assist in building a society "marked with genuine patrioticism and love of country, measured by a commitment to fairness, care and concern for the more vulnerable among us".
"Generosity and gratitude are companion virtues [and] the most generous people are also quite filled with gratitude," Ingraham noted.
"The response to the call for the era of volunteerism in The Bahamas is encouraging.  Testifying to the essential goodness of the Bahamian people and our yearning to renew the spirit of community and fellowship."
Director of Youth and co-chairperson of Volunteer Bahamas, Darron Turnquest, told The Nassau Guardian that hundreds of additional applications are being processed by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
He indicated that applicants are contacted and a vetting process is carried out to ensure the database of volunteers includes interested and dedicated people, prepared to invest their time in the initiative.
Ingraham pointed out that while the government has an essential part to play in society, it is no substitute for the personal responsibility required for good family life and avoiding criminal and anti-social behavior.
"To put it more affirmatively, it is the citizenry acting individually and sometimes collectively through families, churches, service clubs, schools, lodges, foundations, businesses and other groups in society in collaboration with government that can cause a renewal of community life, combat the negative influences [which are] harmful to, and destructive of our communities and assist in a return to the good old traditional values like respect for our elders," the prime minister said.
Attendees at the launch ceremony were able to submit their applications for Volunteer Bahamas or  sign up by using the computers set up throughout the hotel with the government website preloaded.
Over 15 organizations were present at the event.
They included Bahamas National Trust, The Hope Center, Kiwanis Club, Bahamas Faith Ministries Youth Alive, Bahamas Red Cross, Scouts Association of The Bahamas, Job Readiness Training, The Boys Brigade, Teen Challenge Bahamas and many others.
For more information or to volunteer visit www.bahamas.gov.bs or email volunteer@bahamas.gov.bs.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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