Opinion: St Patrick’s Day, Daffodil Day, every day, volunteers make life better

Watching the fantastic St Patrick’s Day parade in Donegal Town, I was reminded yet again of the incredible contribution volunteers make to our community. 

The parade was a wonderful celebration of the people and heritage of Donegal Town, from it’s foundations 550 years ago to the clubs, schools and organisations that are its beating heart today.

To ensure that such a big event goes off without a hitch requires a lot of advance planning as well as good management and communication on the day. Huge credit and congratulations must go to everyone involved, from the organising committee to the volunteers who answered calls for a few extra pairs of hands on the day. Then there are all the people who were involved in the community float, a wonderful addition to the parade in recent years. 

A stand out feature of the Donegal Town parade is the immense effort made by schools. Parents and school staff really step up to put in time and effort with making floats, costumes and props, preparing routines, etc, and with making sure everything goes to plan on the day. 

It is the same with the many other organisations taking part, from marching band practices to decorating floats, and much, much more. There are people giving of their time, talent and efforts in so many ways, and it all comes together to make an entertaining and memorable day out for people of all ages. 

I mention the Donegal Town parade in particular because that is the one with which I am most familiar, having had my own family involved in it with school and various clubs over the years. 

Of course, this effort and achievement is mirrored all around the county. In our towns and villages  people step up and take on the challenge of organising events that lift the spirits of their communities and bring people together in celebration and pride in who they are, be it their own heritage or their adopted home.

Our communities would be poorer places without such people, and not only on St Patrick’s Day. At this time of year, groups of people are gathering to lift litter from the roadside, and it is not just the coffee cups and take away packaging thrown from passing vehicles. 

Bags of soiled nappies, food waste, animal bones, household appliances, and more are all being removed by people who have no vested interest but are driven to contribute to the greater good. 

And volunteers are working quietly in every corner of the county, the unsung heroes of our communities, embodying the spirit of selflessness and compassion that make life better for those who need a helping hand. 

Their invaluable contributions ripple through every aspect of life, having a profound and positive impact on individuals, families, and neighbourhoods. Whether it is helping people to meet basic needs such as food, staffing charity shops, offering tuition,  tutoring a struggling student, feeding the homeless, or planting trees in a local park, volunteers play a pivotal role in making communities better in countless ways.

We will see volunteers out in force for Daffodil Day this Friday, March 22. Their efforts contribute to supporting people going through cancer treatment, their families and carers. From helping patients get to chemotherapy appointments to providing night nurses for people receiving palliative care at home, the Irish Cancer Society is a constant presence for those on this difficult journey. 

Money raised through Daffodil Day also contributes to awareness campaigns that may well prompt someone to get symptoms checked while there is still a chance of a good outcome. I remember when my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer, someone asked me, ‘is it like in the ad, that persistent cough?’ 

‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘it is exactly like the cough in the ad.’

Those volunteers selling daffodil pins and other daffodil themed items are doing so in solidarity with everyone affected by cancer, and those who will be impacted in the future. 

The impact of volunteers in every aspect of society is immeasurable. They are the absolute best of us.