Main pic: Letterkenny Tidy Towns volunteers hard at work last month.
The Letterkenny Tidy Towns committee has been described as one of the most highly regarded voluntary organisations in Donegal.
Minister Charlie McConalogue made the comment at the group’s 37th Annual Cleaner Community Campaign Awards in the Mount Errigal Hotel on Monday night. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said the group has always been to the fore of the community since it was set up in 1959.
“Over those 64 years, Letterkenny Tidy Towns has managed to evolve and adapt to constant change. As the Cathedral Town continues to grow, so too does Letterkenny Tidy Towns,” Minister McConalogue said.
“Many groups and numerous people play their part in the success of your great organisation where the role of the volunteer is key,” he added.
Letterkenny Tidy Towns, he said, has volunteers of all ages from every walk of life, from every sector, and from every background, who all possess a shared sense of pride in where they live and where they are from.
“I’ve driven through Letterkenny on many a Sunday morning, and I couldn’t but be impressed at the large number of people out along the roads with their Tidy Towns high-viz jackets, gloves, pickers, and bags.
“Indeed, last Sunday morning, I know Letterkenny Tidy Towns had 28 volunteers out and about and collected 34 bags during their shift. That is collective civic duty at its absolute best, and a great example to other towns and villages around the county of what can be done,” the minister added.
He said the group reached ‘the Holy Grail’ in 2015 when Letterkenny was named Ireland’s Tidiest Town.
“And given the strength, desire, vision, and commitment of all associated with Letterkenny Tidy Towns, I have no doubt that Letterkenny will be back at the top of the table nationally again in the not-too-distant future,” he said.
Commending Letterkenny Tidy Towns on the recent launch of its innovative ‘Power of One’ campaign, Minister McConalogue commented: “This initiative is about creating awareness of sustainability and how people can make a difference in their community by small actions every day. This could be as simple as donating a bag of saleable clothes to a charity shop, repurposing and upcycling clothes, using a reusable water bottle, growing your own food, or volunteering for a Sunday morning litter pick-up session.”
“The culmination of small changes by us all can have a significantly positive impact on our communities, and on our environment. So, I would encourage everyone to embrace their power to bring about change through the ‘Power of One’ initiative,” he added.
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