Novas win national volunteer award

LIMERICK initiative Novas has been honoured with the Outstanding Large Group award at the National Volunteer Ireland Awards.

Novas are a registered charity who operate every day of the year to provide support to people without housing in Limerick.

“The service predictability and the stability is entirely down to the volunteer’s dedication. Even on Christmas day, bank holidays, weekends, our team are ready to step in if there is a gap” wrote the person who nominated Novas for the award.

Limerick volunteer centre manager, Paul Moriarty, said: “This group is the perfect example of so many volunteers across the country and we are lucky to have people like them in Limerick. The difference they make in our communities and the lives of local people is immense. These awards give us a chance to say thank you and celebrate the wonderful contribution volunteers make every day.”

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Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke, said: “These annual awards are a wonderful way to acknowledge the selfless commitment and dedication of so many volunteers whose efforts have a transformative impact on communities all over Ireland. The work they do brings people together, strengthening our social fabric and enhancing social connections for people across all walks of life.”

The Volunteer Ireland Awards are the national awards for volunteering in Ireland. Eleven category winners and the overall Volunteer of the Year were named at an awards ceremony in the Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin on Sunday, December 8. The awards are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and award partner Healthy Ireland.

With a team of over 50 volunteers, Novas give a hot meal and donated supplies to anyone in need. Volunteers collect food donations and food that would go uneaten from local restaurants and businesses and distribute it from their food truck hatch.

Last year they served 20,000 meals and estimate since the organisation was founded that they’ve served 200,000.