President Pays Tribute to Volunteers

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves honored volunteers ranging from rescuers to youth crafts workshop leaders at a ceremony in Tartu on Sunday.

The volunteers of the year of 2012 were Pia Hanslep, Ain Laurits, Elve Lepik, Lembit Liiv, Evelin Raadik, Ulvi Rannaste, Ester Ravalepik, Vergi Suiste, Kaido Taberland and Juta Vallikivi. 

Ilves also paid tribute to leaders of volunteers – coordinator of the Animal Protection Society Geit Karurahu, the organizer of the Estonian fund for Nature's collective activity days Siim Kuresoo, and the leader of Viru Folk environmental program's volunteers, Erik Sikk.

Telephone company Elion received an award for best volunteer sponsor for its work with the Estonian Scouting Association in developing better IT systems and improving their PR.

The selection was made from 49 candidates by the committee consisting of the Volunteering Development Center, the Interior Ministry and the Office of the President. There will also be a ceremony on December 5, International Volunteering Day.

http://news.err.ee/society/6f6c1358-0493-4a07-8282-d930917ebd46

• News