European Year of Volunteering Award

On Friday, November 25, at Spīķeri Concert Hall, Riga Luther Parish received the European Year of Volunteering 2011 award for developing volunteer work at the Parents' House of the Children's Clinical University Hospital.

On November 25, the Ministry of Education and Science presented the European Year of Volunteering 2011 award to volunteers, organizers of volunteer work and supporters of volunteer work for significant contributions to the development and promotion of volunteering. Riga Luther Parish received the award for developing volunteer work at the Children's Hospital Parents' House in the category "Organizer of volunteer work".

The parish pastor and chaplain of the Parents' House, Linards Rozentāls, said that the award was given for the rapid increase in the number of volunteers at the Parents' House, not only from Luther Parish but also from other churches, denominations and society as a whole, and thanks to the social significance of the volunteer work carried out at the Parents' House.

Mareks Gruškevics, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, emphasized: "By presenting the commemorative award and certificate of honor of the European Year of Volunteering, the Ministry of Education and Science expresses recognition and honors people and organizations that through their work have made a significant personal contribution to the development of volunteering in Latvia and have worked to create common good for society. We hope that what has been accomplished and its positive recognition will motivate them to continue what has been started not only during this thematic year, but also in the future."

The Ministry of Education and Science's EYV 2011 award was presented to nine laureates in three categories: volunteers, organizers of volunteer work and supporters of volunteer work.

At the Parents' House of the Children's Clinical University Hospital, alongside specialists, 44 volunteers from various denominations, churches and society are active, and in November of this year more than 200 clients had already been served within the social rehabilitation program. The Parents' House is a support place at the hospital for parents of young patients, where they can not only rest physically, cook lunch and do laundry, but also receive specialist support and professional consultations.