NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2016 PRAMERICA SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS

Pramerica celebrates 10 years recognising young volunteers from across the island of Ireland

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme has launched its annual search for Ireland’s top youth volunteers.

The 2016 programme year marks the 10th anniversary of the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards, the only all-Ireland youth initiative of its kind which rewards post-primary students for outstanding acts of volunteerism and the positive contribution they make in their local communities and further afield.

This year, for the first time, applications can be submitted and completed online at www.pramerica.ie/spirit.

Over 1,500 students across the island of Ireland have been recognised and rewarded for the commitment they have shown in helping others over the last 10 years. A number of former winners were in attendance at a reception in the Royal College of Physicians, Dublin, to launch the 2016 awards. At the event, Irish international and rugby commentator Alan Quinlan encouraged young people to motivate others by communicating their achievements and applying for the awards.

Commenting on the achievements of unsung heroes from across Ireland, Alan Quinlan said “It is a great honour for me to be a part of the 2016 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards and announce that this year it couldn’t be easier to submit an application or nominate an individual by simply using the new online submission process. I am deeply touched and inspired by the level of dedication, commitment and care our young people invest in helping others in their local communities and I’d urge even more young people to get involved in the program which has supported incredible youth volunteers over the past ten years.”

The call was supported by The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD); The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI), Foroige  and Scouting Ireland, which partner with Letterkenny based Pramerica Systems Ireland, in communicating to young people that nominations are now open.

Speaking about the 10th anniversary of the awards, Andrea McBride, vice president, Pramerica, said, “It has been an honour and a privilege recognising inspiring young people from across Ireland over the last ten years who have given their time to volunteer and help those less fortunate than themselves.

“As we launch the awards in this special anniversary year, we want to motivate more young people from schools throughout Ireland to get involved in community service activities and take up the chance to be part of this great event. Many young people take part in volunteering activities that have a real impact, and we continue to be inspired by their selfless acts and by the continuous contribution they make to local communities.”

Application forms are available at www.pramerica.ie/spirit.  Students must complete their applications and submit them to their Principal or Deputy Principal by 23 October. Principals then have until 6th November to nominate students for national-level recognition. Every school can submit a maximum of two applications to go forward for national judging.

Prizes for the 20 finalists include €500, an invitation to the Gala Awards dinner and fantastic recognition for the school. Two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year will also be selected from the finalists, each of whom will receive €1,000 for their chosen charity and a trip to the United States.

For further updates on the launch of the 10th annual awards, follow the Pramerica Spirit of Community Facebook page and Twitter feed, or visit www.pramerica.ie/spirit. Past finalists, honourees, teachers, partners, supporters and ambassadors are also encouraged to connect with the programme and share their anniversary messages and memories via the Facebook and Twitter pages.

ENDsFor further information contact Shane Finnegan or Katrina Frazer at Aiken PR on 02890663000 or Katrina@aikenpr.com   

Notes to Editor

*Key Dates to Remember*

• 7th September 2015: Online application forms are available for completion

• 23rd October 2015: Final date for students to submit applications to Principal/Deputy Principal

• 6th November 2015: Deadline for submission by the Principal/Deputy Principal of student applications

• February 2016: Announcement of 20 finalists

• March 2016: Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards dinner

• May 2016: Two All-Ireland Youth Volunteers of the Year travel to Washington, D.C., for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards National Recognition Events.

About the Awards

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme is modelled on The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which was created in 1995 in the United States by Pramerica's parent, Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI)*. Since then, nearly 375,000 young Americans have participated in the programme and more than 115,000 have won awards. The programme has been widely praised by educators, government officials, parents and community leaders. Many notable Americans, including former President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (ret.), former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former First Lady Laura Bush, former U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, sports superstar Magic Johnson, actor Richard Dreyfuss and actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg have participated in the programme. PFI has introduced the programme in other countries where it has a significant business presence, including Japan in 1997, South Korea in 1999, Taiwan in 2000, Ireland in 2006, India in 2010, China in 2013 and Brazil in 2015.

In Ireland a number of leading public figures have supported and participated in the programme including Bertie Ahern, John Hume, Caitriona Ruane, Mickey Harte, Declan Kidney, John Lonergan, David Coleman and Martin O’Neill.

About PramericaPramerica Systems Ireland Limited, located in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, began operations in 2000 and has more than 1,100 employees. It provides essential computer-technology and client-contact services to PFI businesses around the world. Its Information Technology group develops software and other systems solutions for PFI business groups and its Operations group functions as a back-office contact centre and delivers a suite of professional service for PFI business groups.

PartnersThe National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) represent principals and deputy principals in the Republic of Ireland at post-primary level. The association aims to provide a united voice for principals and deputy principals.

The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) is an independent, self-regulatory body established to represent the professional interests of teachers in Northern Ireland.

Prudential Financial is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.