Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer 
Trelawny Custos, Roylan Barrett, presents a plaque to Prudence Rose-Strachan, who was adjudged the most outstanding volunteer at the Trelawny Association of Volunteers awards ceremony at Starfish Resort on Monday night. - PHOTO BY RICHARD MORAIS
FALMOUTH, Trelawny:
THE TRELAWNY Association of Volunteers (TAVO) held its annual banquet and awards ceremony at Starfish Resort on Monday, United Nations (U.N.) International Volunteer Day.
The parish, which was last year one of just five areas worldwide to receive the UN's 'City with a Heart' award, used the event to recognise volunteers in the fields of environment protection, HIV/AIDS support, gender equality, care of the elderly, youth support and community development.
"Voluntary service is one of the greatest gifts that you can give to the society," said Dr. Hopeton Dunn, chairman and chief executive officer of the Creative Production & Training Centre (CPTC), who delivered the keynote address at the event. The event's theme was 'Volunteer and Secure Jamaica's Future'.
Dr. Dunn said that sometimes individual volunteerism may be seen as insignificant, but contended, "To the world you may be seen as one person, but to one person you may be seen as the world."
He singled out The Gleaner in his speech for recognising volunteerism.
"I am especially grateful to ... The Gleaner, having acknowledged and recognised a number of organisations which have been working in the interest of communities and people. At this time we must say thanks to these organisations and recognise their leadership," he said.
CREATING A DATABANK
TAVO chairman, Carlton Gordon, in giving an overview of the organisation, said he was in the process of creating a databank for the organisation to improve its work.
The event will also serve as a fund-raiser for a central information centre. The centre will give access to information on the social, economic, political and geographical life of the parish.
TAVO offers leadership training, capacity building for volunteer groups, database to promote skills of volunteers in an organised and systematic way, and, partnership with schools on various projects.
