On Thursday, December 5, Saint Lucia participated in the global celebration of World Volunteer Day. This yearly event brings attention to the efforts of individuals who make a positive impact in their communities without financial compensation, motivated solely by a passion for assisting humanity. In Saint Lucia, these altruistic individuals are essential contributors to both […]
On Thursday, December 5, Saint Lucia participated in the global celebration of World Volunteer Day. This yearly event brings attention to the efforts of individuals who make a positive impact in their communities without financial compensation, motivated solely by a passion for assisting humanity.
In Saint Lucia, these altruistic individuals are essential contributors to both local and international events, especially those related to sports.
Volunteers are engaged in all facets of these events, from managing ticket sales to serving food and drinks, motivated by the wish to contribute and lend a hand. The participants also gain from these activities, as they receive chances for skill enhancement, experience, networking, and mentorship.
Volunteer Saint Lucia, the island’s recognized volunteer organization, originated from sporting events. The organization was founded as part of the preparations for the 2007 Cricket World Cup hosted in the Caribbean. Volunteers are vital to the success of such significant sporting events and are utilized globally for major occasions like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and Commonwealth Games.
During the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Saint Lucian volunteers received high accolades for their commitment from both local and international officials. Martha Eugene, President of the Gros Islet Chapter of Volunteer Saint Lucia and one of the organization’s early members, emphasizes that her team’s experience at the tournament acted as a catalyst for increased volunteer engagement in subsequent events.
“The experience from World Cup Cricket 2007 has kept us connected and has allowed us to expand our services. We started reaching out to various communities to offer assistance such as providing meals for the underprivileged, feeding the elderly, organizing cleanup activities, and managing event protocols,” she expressed.
Eugene urges young people to stay involved in such initiatives that enhance events of national significance.
“We have united numerous young individuals from various areas of the island and from other nations too,” she remarked. “Young people should participate in these initiatives. Let’s come together to contribute our time to our country, without seeking anything in return—just a smile, helping hands, love, and sharing.”
Since that initial tournament, volunteers have taken on significant roles in additional sports events, including the Caribbean Premier League and the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup. This initiative continues to flourish thanks to the commitment and determination of young individuals who are continually joining the cause.
Shaun Alcindor, Operations Officer for the Saint Lucia Cricket Association, underscored this importance by stating:
“In the Caribbean, our economy is small, making it challenging for us as a sports organization to pay for all the personnel needed to operate an event. This is where the volunteers become crucial; thanks to their dedication, we’re able to deliver international-level activities and sporting events in Saint Lucia.”
The contributions of the volunteers were also recognized by Ersher Delauney-Daniel, Operations Manager for the CPL Champion Saint Lucia Kings.
“From my perspective, volunteers are an equally important part of the event’s flow. People often say that one area is more critical than another, but I truly believe that without each role, the proper flow and production could never be achieved successfully. For me, the role of a volunteer can never be undervalued, and I feel extremely fortunate to work alongside them at every tournament.”
The accomplishments of this vital collective of citizens will be celebrated at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Evening, scheduled for Saturday, December 7th.