(Have a look at the Facebook page for Serve the City Galway HERE. Be sure to click on that LIKE button!)

Of course, it’s only the beginning! If you have any friends, family, or colleagues in Galway who may be interested in serving the needs of marginalised or vulnerable people and speaking hope into the community in practical ways, be sure to get in touch with Serve the City Galway using the following address: tim[at]servethecity.ie. Not only will they be looking for volunteers, but they will also be looking to partner with other charity organizations to explore opportunities to serve.

From all of us here in Dublin, Go Team Galway! 

On Saturday, one of our volunteers took photos of the members of their team (1 of 4 teams that we had out) during our monthly S3RVE Day initiative. Three things that I absolutely LOVE about these fantastic photos.

1. The sunlight coming in through the front door. I’d like to think there’s something symbolic about that sunlight in the act of serving someone in need, indiscriminately, without strings attached and without expecting a ‘thanks’ or anything else in return. Often, the people that we serve are living in isolation due to being estranged from family or to suffering from mental illness, or for whatever reason. We’ve seen the light flood in to people’s homes – and into their very lives! – in the act of serving.
2. The smiles on the faces of the volunteers. It’s something I notice EVERY time we leave a S3RVE Day – the smiles on the faces of the volunteers. For sure, we see it on the faces of the people we serve and maybe we even expect it there (or at least we hope for it.) But it’s the smiles on the volunteers that really animate the ethos of Serve the City, because they are a sign that our vision of compassion-in-action has really captured the heart of the smiler. And if they’re not careful, it might just become contagious and lead to more indiscriminate acts of intentional kindness. That’s how habits get formed and we can’t have that, now, can we. *wink*
3. The t-shirts that are being worn backwards by at least 3 of the volunteers. I noticed that Tony (the shorter man in glasses) had put his shirt on backwards before everyone left the restaurant and spread out to our respective service projects. What I’m not sure about is whether the others put their t-shirts on backwards as an act of solidarity with Tony or if maybe it was an effort to make sure Tony didn’t get embarrassed to realize that he had his shirt on backwards. Of course, it could be that the other two ladies also mistakenly put their shirts on without taking notice of where the tag was. Who knows. Whatever the case may be, there’s no denying it: there’s just something winsome about wearing clothes backwards. And in this case, I think it goes together quite well with the smiles and the sunlight.

Brandon

So what are you waiting for? Let’s S3RVE!

We’re happy to announce that the Active Citizens of Europe award for 2011 has gone to … Serve the City! Congratulations, not only to all of the European Serve the City initiatives, but also to all of the volunteers of Serve the City in Dublin who’ve come out to serve in 2011. It’s exciting to know that we are a part of something bigger happening across Europe! CLICK HERE to see the VolontEurope website and HERE (PDF) to read the winners’ profiles.

The awards ceremony will take place this Friday (21st of October) in Edinburgh as part of the Volonteurope Conference. The Founder of Serve the City, Carlton Deal, will be there with his wife Shannon to accept the award on behalf of all the Serve the City initiatives across Europe.