Community passion drives award recipients
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The efforts of dedicated local community members have been recognised today by Logan City Council.
Jimboomba’s Sarah Weir and local organisation 4207 Helping Hands are the recipients of the 2024 City of Logan Volunteer Awards.
Sarah was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Frank Lenz Memorial Award after acting as a beacon of hope for Jimboomba residents earlier this year following last December’s Christmas Day storms.
Working with the Rotary Club of Jimboomba, Sarah co-ordinated the running of emergency relief support services from the Jimboomba Community and District Hall to help those impacted.
They offered meals, food donations, access to laundry services and a safe place for the community.
Sarah also provided regular online updates and worked with relevant stakeholders during the storm clean-up to support the community. She continues to actively support families by referring them to additional support services when needed.
The Davida Steele Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Organisation was awarded to 4207 Helping Hands.
Founder Claire Allen runs the organisation from her Beenleigh home in addition to her family and work commitments.
The group operates a barter system where donated items are swapped for grocery items and used in hampers to help people in the community.
Anyone wanting to support 4207 Helping Hands can visit their Facebook page.
City of Logan Mayor Jon Raven said Council had run the Volunteer Awards since 1988 and they had become a long-standing local tradition.
“These awards recognise that not all heroes wear capes,” Cr Raven said.
“We know Logan is the youngest, most diverse and fastest growing city in the state, but it’s also the kindest.
“Our community spirit is our point of difference and the nominees this year are wonderful examples of what that means.
“I want congratulate Sarah Weir and 4207 Helping Hands and thank them for their service.
“During the Christmas storm event I saw Sarah’s commitment to community first-hand. She went above and beyond during the disaster and continued to support residents without power for up to 14 weeks until their services were restored.”
The 2024 awards included a breakfast for local volunteers at the Logan Entertainment Centre today with Australian paracanoeist and former soldier Curtis McGrath as the guest speaker.