Introducing Casey’s 2019 Citizen of the Year…Mellissa McIlroy!
Mellissa has been with CHIPS, initially as a volunteer and then as an employee, since 2001. During that time Mellissa has Coordinated CHIPS’ twice yearly Life Gets Better Camps, Fundraising Events (such as the Wacky Walkathon and Trivia Nights), Christmas with CHIPS Events and Christmas Hampers, the Thank You Lunch (for CHIPS’ 10 Year Anniversary), Upskill Training Nights, organised numerous meetings with volunteers and recruited hundreds of volunteers to help with CHIPS’ programs.
Mellissa treats everyone whom she comes into contact with, with dignity and respect, and leaves them feeling a sense of value and hope.We are VERY proud to have Mellissa as part of the CHIPS team and feel she is more than worthy to have been awarded Casey’s 2019 Citizen of the Year.
Mellissa said that it was really overwhelming to take out the prestigious award. She praised CHIPS’ 300-400 volunteers saying during her acceptance speech, “They really are the ones that make everything happen. The passion is obviously bringing hope, and a sense of belonging and value to children (and their families) who have experienced trauma.”
“Hopefully when the children are older, they will remember the sense of belonging they felt when they were on a Life Gets Better Camp, and it will encourage them to make healthy decisions for themselves in the future.”
Well done Mellissa.