Latest news with #VolunteerWeek
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Jewellery designer turning trashed spoons into treasures to raise funds for hospice
Mark Drury, 78, who also volunteers at Strathcarron, was inspired by the BBC programme 'Money for Nothing' - and will be selling his creations at his Stirlingshire studio. A jewellery designer who makes products from old silver spoons will be selling his creations in aid of Strathcarron Hospice as part of Open Studio Stirlingshire June 7-15. Mark Drury, who also volunteers at the hospice, was inspired to fundraise for Strathcarron after wanting to do something for a charity which he felt would impact most on local people's lives. Mark decided to share his story as part of Volunteer Week June 2-8. The 78-year-old started donating money to the hospice from selling his paintings and then decided to create jewellery from old silver spoons after being inspired by the BBC programme 'Money for Nothing', where entrepreneur Sarah Moore saves things from being dumped and transforms them into valuable pieces. Mark, who lives near Doune, said: 'I have always liked silver – it's bright and shiny and I am like a magpie! It is easy and relatively cheap to work with. I could buy a box of cutlery for £45 and create items for sale recycled and sell them for £200 for the hospice. 'People like them because they are handmade, for a charity and silver is very popular at the moment. It is amazing what you can make from something that no one wants anymore!' When Mark retired from his commercial property job aged 54 he says he struggled with the transition to retirement, so decided to go travelling around the world for a few months at a time over seven years. His new experiences across the globe inspired him creatively and he also witnessed the abuse of aid and subsidy in some countries, sparking an interest in how he could help others at a local level in his own area. Aged 61 he enrolled in Glasgow School of Art, followed by Jo Pudelko's Jewellery School in Dunblane. Mark has been making artwork and silver jewellery for seven years with all the proceeds being donated to Strathcarron. Mark said: 'All my life I had worked in a desk job and ran offices dealing with huge commercial property deals. It can be a real problem for men when they retire, to disconnect from the role they have had all their working life. They get the suit, the tie, and the title and they think that is their identity, and then some people struggle when they retire. 'I went back packing all over the world for a few months at a time. I needed the time and space to like myself and find that I had the confidence to try new things and use those skills to help others. Having spent my life behind a desk, I love the tactile side of making things and knowing that it has helped others at the Hospice as a result.' Mark added: 'Two years ago I started volunteering at the hospice after Eileen the Volunteer Co-ordinator had reached out saying the hospice needed people to help. 'I assist the domestic team with duties, serve tea and coffee to patients and their family members and help set up the trollies for lunch. 'When I am there I am no longer Mark Drury the double breasted suit and shiny shoes businesses man – it is a real leveller working at the hospice and I meet a whole range of people. It is extraordinary to find out about the life and experiences they have had – people are really interesting. 'I love the people at Strathcarron and it is an amazingly happy place. The domestic team I work with are absolutely fantastic – we have good fun. They have a great sense of humour! I couldn't have been stuffy or I wouldn't have lasted! It has been a real insight into people, I have learnt a lot. 'Volunteering at the hospice has made me realise it's about enjoying the moment and realising that by helping others you get as much, if not more, than what you give. There is a wonderful feel good factor and sense of self-worth and contribution. 'To know that me bringing my energy into a room can help make a patient's day so much better, that's a nice thing. It is what being human is all about – these connections.' Mark Drury is taking part in Open Studios Stirlingshire in aid of Strathcarron Hospice June 7-14, at this studio at Northland House off the B826, KY16 6AD. For more information visit
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Awards for service to railway, hospital
Two people with nearly a century of volunteering combined were among more than 150 people celebrated by the Shire of Murray for Volunteer Week. Nominees were awarded certificates of recognition for reaching five, 10, 20, 30 and 40-year milestones, and awards for outstanding contributions were presented at the May 20 function at the Exchange Hotel. Don Butler and Brian Henderson each received milestone awards for 40 years each of support for the Hotham Valley Railway. Rae Endersby received an outstanding contribution award for her 35 years of service at the Murray District Hospital. She has helped fundraise for patient items and equipment. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Shire president Douglas McLarty said the event was a small way the shire could thank volunteers in the community. 'We are incredibly fortunate to have so many volunteers who give their time and energy to Murray. Their contributions play a vital role in supporting and connecting our community,' he said. 'These longstanding volunteers, along with many others within our community, work tirelessly behind the scenes solely for the betterment of our community and for that we are immensely grateful.'
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letters: Learn about candidates before the primary; Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Red Cross
Editor's note: The Centre Daily Times welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the May 20 primary election and will accept letters that are received by May 6. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates. Do you know your candidates? The May 20 municipal primary will feature candidates for school board, supervisors and council, mayor, district attorney, district judge and jury commissioner. The League of Women Voters of Centre County is hosting a non-partisan Candidates' Night April 29 at the State College Municipal Building at 7 p.m. The moderated format includes six questions from constituent concerns, each candidate rotating responding first, then each candidate's closing statement. The forum is livestreamed and archived by C-NET. Local elections have low turnout and can be won by a few votes, so every voter counts! Candidates' Night is an opportunity to meet candidates. Candidates in contested races for SCASD school board, BASD school board, Benner and Spring Township supervisors were invited. School boards build hire teachers, build schools and set districts' school taxes. Supervisors manage trash pickup, roads and zoning. Get to know the officials in charge of your life at Candidates' Night! LWVCC is a nonpartisan organization; we invite all candidates in contested races. SCASD school board candidates Deborah Anderson, Jesse Barlow, Jennifer Black, Rebecca Arnold Desmarais and Jackie Huff accepted; Kristen McTernan and Mihaly Sogor declined. For BASD, Nate Campbell, Jon Guizar and Joe Yech accepted; Kristin Lyons declined. Benner Township supervisors did not reply. For Spring Township, Frank Royer accepted. But Korena Defurio did not reply, so LWVCC cannot hold that race. You may email your questions to lwvcentrecounty@ or submit questions at the event. We look forward to seeing you April 29! Bonnie Goble, Boalsburg. The author is a member of the League of Women Voters of Centre County. During National Volunteer Week, the American Red Cross of Central Pennsylvania celebrates the selfless volunteers whose unwavering support make it possible for us to assist people in need every day. Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Red Cross, representing more than 90% of our national workforce and their compassion helps to ensure that people are not alone during the most challenging times of their lives. Here in central PA, more than 700 Red Cross volunteers supported blood drives, assisted veterans and military families and provided food and shelter after disasters of all sizes. Today, volunteers are more critical than ever as the Red Cross responds to a new major disaster about every two weeks. These massive events, like storms and wildfires, are on top of the home fires which occur multiple times every day across the country. During Volunteer Week, join us in thanking all those who volunteer across our community, and consider putting on a red vest and joining our team. Visit to get started today. Free online training will be provided. Laura Burke, Harrisburg. The author is the executive director of the American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Chapter. Donald Trump promised Americans a booming economy: '…the best jobs, the biggest paychecks, the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.' As egg prices reached a new high (just in time for Easter), he braced Americans for economic turmoil. His chaotic and destabilizing trade war will dramatically increase costs on a broad swath of products, including toys, clothes and electronics. Trump's overhaul of the federal workforce has targeted scientific research and international aid. Cuts also hit central Pennsylvanians — farmers who supply food banks, and programs treating veterans with PTSD. Some cuts are purely petty. Eliminating National History Day, a nationwide competition that engages more than a half-million students annually and prepares students for success and civic engagement — something that benefits us all. As Americans struggle with increased prices and reduced services, Trump frivolously spends $3.4 million for each golf excursion. Trump vindictively targets law firms and universities whose policies or employees he doesn't like. And he aggressively targets individuals who challenge his false claims. He issued a brazenly vengeful executive order to investigate Christopher Krebs, former head of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security, for refuting claims that the 2020 election was rigged. Alarm bells should sound when the president exacts retribution against people who dare to tell the truth that the 2020 election was not stolen. He's testing American democracy. Trump isn't using his office to improve Americans' lives. He's wielding his power like a Mafia mob-boss and Republicans in Congress are helping him do it! Margie Swoboda, Julian. The author is the chair of the Centre County Democratic Committee.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Letter: Red Cross celebrates its selfless volunteers
During National Volunteer Week, the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter celebrates the selfless volunteers whose unwavering support makes it possible for us to assist people in need every day. Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Red Cross, representing more than 90% of our national workforce, and their compassion helps to ensure people are not alone during the most challenging times of their lives. In our chapter, more than 500 Red Cross volunteers supported blood drives, assisted veterans and military families and provided food and shelter after disasters of all sizes. Today, volunteers are more critical than ever as the Red Cross responds to a new major disaster about every two weeks. These massive events, like storms and wildfires, are on top of the home fires that occur multiple times every day across the country. During Volunteer Week, join us in thanking all those who volunteer across our community, and consider putting on a red vest and joining our team. Visit to get started today. Free online training will be provided. Peter Brown Executive director, American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter
