Volunteers listen to speeches during the CWC Vibes closing ceremony - an appreciation function held for the Sabina Park volunteers at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Monday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

AFTER many hours of free service, the volunteers who worked during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup were honoured on Monday night at the Jamaica Pegasus.

About 700 volunteers attended the function in New Kingston where the Local Organising Committee (LOC) said thanks by presenting certificates of participation and a portfolio to the volunteers for their sterling contribution.

Robert Bryan, managing director of the Jamaica LOC, said this was a way of saying thanks to the volunteers.

"We are honouring the volunteers for hosting the programme because we think it is immensely important to say thanks to them but also to demonstrate to the rest of Jamaicans that we have people who are willing to go way above the call of duty," Bryan said.

Joseph Holness, the oldest volunteer, said: "I volunteered because I wanted the World Cup to be a success to Jamaica and the experience I got was wonderful," said the 77-year-old. Holness, who worked as an usher at Sabina Park, said meeting people from "all over" and working with them was great.

Sports journalist Lennox Aldred said the volunteer programme broadened his knowledge as a professional. "It was a wonderful experience for me," said Aldred, who worked with the media during the event.

"Working with the media was invaluable," he said. "To work with those people from overseas, AP, BBC, etc., and to interact with them and find out how they go about their business was a great experience.

"The volunteer programme really showed me that once people put their all into something, they can get back something out of it," he added.

Vilma McDonald, volunteer coordinator, praised the efforts of her volunteers and said the training helped a lot.

"I think because of that training, they were able to go out in their respective positions each day and carry out the task," McDonald said.

"We feel they did a wonderful job and we want to commend all the volunteers who worked very hard. We had to be up at the venue at 5:30 in the mornings and they all were there; transportation worked very well for us," she said.

The LOC will now turn its attention to Trelawny, where it will honour those who worked in that parish for the opening ceremony. A date has not yet been decided on for the function.