A special reception was held at Camden on Tuesday evening to honour Work Rallies volunteers and the woman who set it all in motion.

Those on hand to celebrate the community spirited initiative included Premier David Burt, Public Works Minister David Burch, Education Minister Diallo Rabain and People’s Campaign advocate the Reverend Nicholas Tweed.

Reception at Camden to Honour Work Rallies

During the course of the summer break, a host of volunteers stepped up to lend their helping hands by contributing countless hours to get several public schools in tip top shape for the start of the new school year.

Work Rallies is the brainchild of Angela Young, who said she was honoured “to celebrate those who caught the vision and went above the ‘call of duty’.

A number of awards were presented to those who helped to make the Work Rallies initiative a success.

Nakisha Burgess received the ‘Most Dedicated Volunteer’ Award. Ms Young noted that Ms Burgess “often times cleaned Clearwater Middle School alone or with her children”.

Rosita Philpott, who contributed 48.5 hours of volunteer service received the award for the ‘Highest Work Rallies Volunteer Service Hours and Schools’. Ms Young noted that Ms Philpott at 11 different schools. “That’s half of all the schools we volunteered at,” she said.

Congratulations Cree Lottimore – Keep Pursuing Your Dreams!

Cree Lottimore, a young university student, who designed the Work Rallies logo received the ‘Best Logo Design’ Award. Her mother was on hand to receive the award at the reception last evening.

The ‘First Work Rallies Host’ Award went to Karen Joyiens, the Principal at Southampton Pre-School.

Rev Tweed received the ‘First Work Rallies Venue Host’ Award, for allowing Work Rallies to hold their public meetings at St Paul Centennial Hall at no charge to support the initiative. And Bermuda Real was awarded with the ‘Outstanding Journalism by Local Media Network’ Award for covering the Work Rallies journey “since the beginning”.

After the reception, Ms Young said: “Many of Bermuda’s biggest and historical social gains were created and obtained by the people, for the people!” She also thanked all of the Work Rallies volunteers for stepping up to take part in this initiative.

Plans are underway to continue Work Rallies throughout the school year, to assist with clean up projects during school breaks. We’ll have more on that story as it develops moving forward.