Aimee’s selfless shoeboxes earn her an award

A SIXTH-YEAR student at Loreto Abbey, Dalkey has been honoured at the 2014 Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards.

Republic of Ireland football manager Martin O’Neill praised the volunteering efforts of Aimee Concannon (17), from Dalkey, who alongside 19 other Pramerica Spirit of Community finalists received

?¬500 and an engraved silver medallion for their work.

“We need to celebrate our young people today to inspire them into being leaders of tomorrow,

? Martin said.

“We salute Aimee and the other finalists in this programme for helping those in need.

?

The Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards programme is modeled on the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which was created in 1995 in the United States.

Since then, nearly 375,000 young Americans have participated in the programme and more than 130,000 have won awards.

Many notable Americans, including former President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former First Lady Laura Bush, and former US Senator and astronaut John Glenn have participated in the programme.

Aimee won her award for distributing shoeboxes filled with essentials to the homeless on Christmas Eve.

She fundraises, seeks sponsorships, promotes her campaign in the media and even donates her own money to fill 20 shoeboxes, which contain food, clothing, toothpaste, tissues, stamps, writing paper, bandages and sweets.

“It wouldn’t be Christmas without it,

? says Aimee, who prepares the shoeboxes and distributes them in Dublin City Centre with her mum.

“It’s less about the boxes and more about the fact that someone cares about the homeless and that they have someone to talk to even for a few minutes on Christmas.

?

Aimee’s story was featured on TV3’s

‘Unsung Heroes at Christmas’.

Elaine Crowley, producer of the show, said:

“While many of us may walk past without giving a second thought to or a glance toward the many homeless people on the streets of Dublin, Aimee showed compassion.

“The shoeboxes she distributes not only provide essential items, they give hope to those alone on the streets.

?

The senior managing director of Pramerica Systems Ireland Ltd, Caroline Faulkner, described the evening as one of joyous momentum.

“The stars tonight were our 20 finalists,

? she said.

“They have awed and amazed us, the organisers, their families and teachers and indeed each other.

“Congratulations to Aimee who has shown tremendous maturity in being an outstanding volunteer.

?

The awards are held in partnership with the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals and the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland.