More than 150 volunteers across the island will be officially recognised at parish awards ceremonies on International Volunteer Day, tomorrow.

In addition, 14 persons, each representing a parish, will be given special awards for being the top volunteer in their parish.

President and chief executive officer of the Council of Voluntary Social Services, Winsome Wilkins, reported that various agencies and non-governmental organisations were asked to select volunteers, whom they felt deserved recognition.

The nominees were then submitted to the Custodes in each parish, who also have the responsibility of International Volunteer Day.

Mrs. Wilkins said that nominees will receive certificates approved by the United Nations.

"A lot of agencies do look forward to this and see it as an opportunity to say thank you to those who have served them and served them very well," she pointed out.

For Norma Brown-Bell, member of the International Volunteer Day Committee, recognition of volunteers has come a long way.

In 2001, the United Nations designated the year as the 'Internat-ional Year of Volunteers'. During this period, countries were asked to recognise their volunteers and to promote volunteerism.

With the help of the United Volunteers Programme and the Council of Voluntary Social Services, a National Committee, known as the International Volunteer Day Committee, was formed in Jamaica.

International Volunteer Day Committee comprises: