'A life-changing year'

As nominations open for the 2009 Anglo-Celt/Rehab Cavan Person of the Year award, the 2008 winner has revealed that winning the prestigious award was a life changing experience. Margaret Basmajian of the Good Morning Positive Age programme said that being named Cavan Person of the Year opened many doors for her, and most importantly, gave ongoing impetus to her work in the community - reaching out to elderly and isolated people across counties Cavan and Monaghan. After winning the overall award, Margaret found she was instantly recognised on the street and was overwhelmed by the many messages of support, congratulations and good wishes she received. She got letters from all over the world from readers of The Anglo-Celt and received around 100 cards of congratulations. To illustrate the overnight transformation, Margaret joyfully explains that she walked up Cavan town the following morning with her daughter. "Normally it would take us about 15 minutes. On this occasion, it took over an hour and a half. It took us an hour alone extra in Dunnes while shopping, because everyone kept coming up to me and saying how thrilled they were and the great honour it was for me." When Margaret lifts the phone to different organisations and services, there is instant recognition. Margaret was disappointed, however, that her win did not lead to any mainstream funding for the Good Morning Postive Age programme. She is very grateful to Judge Sean MacBride for ensuring that a certain portion of court donations are paid to the organisation locally. As her well known hearty laugh surfaces, Margaret says her esteemed neighbour in Carrickfern, Bishop Ken Clarke refers to her as 'Her Excellency the President'. The entire experience was very positive and raised her profile in the community. "I simply did not realise that winning the award would have such a positive impact on my life and my work. I could not believe the amount of people who read The Anglo-Celt," said Margaret. She is well known for running the 'Good Morning Programme' which is based in the Castlemanor Retirement Home. It is designed to reach out to people who are lonely and isolated. Margaret has assembled 26 wonderful volunteers to work on the programme and they now call a total of 300 people every week. "We are getting a lot of referrals from GPs and Public Health Nurses," she said. The volunteers come from all walks of life and from diverse parts of the county, as well as the greater Cavan town area. Margaret also revealed that the clients on the Good Morning programme were also thrilled with her win. Margaret's onward march in the voluntary sector has ensured that she has come in contact with numerous groupings and organisations. An example of this is the fact that she is now involved with community policing. The affable Margaret readily extols the virtues of community gardaí, Gda David Conlon and Sergeant Shane Devlin. The Good Morning Programme has now been up and running for two years and one of its main aims is to keep people out of hospital and in the comfort of their own home. The volunteers only have to go the Castlemanor Retirement Centre once a month to make their telephone calls. Margaret formulates a rota for them one month ahead of their deployment. The volunteers have built up a great rapport with the clients. There are also Good Morning programme offices in Oldcastle and Monaghan. Margaret has a note of every client's birthday and a concerted effort is made to ensure a birthday card is sent to them and the cards are arranged courtesy of Pacelli Lynch, Eason's, Cavan. "One of our clients had not received a birthday card for 50 years. He was overjoyed when his surprise arrived in the post," said Margaret. When the clients sign up to the programme, Margaret writes out to them with all the details. "One man said that's great - that will mean I'll see the Postman." The organisation works closely with the Lions Club, which is currently recording The Anglo-Celt on tape each week, so that visually impaired people can listen to all the news. The Cavan Singers have also made generous donations to the organisation, as have the Cootehill Ballroom dancers. As Margaret and Good Morning Postive Age continue to reap the benefits of association with The Anglo-Celt/Rehab Cavan Person of the Year awards, do you know any other organisations and community workers that deserve to be rewarded and recognised. * The nomination form is on page 11 of the print edition dated February 11, 2010. Nominations close on February 19, after which a public vote will choose the overall winner. The awards will be presented at a gala banquet in the Hotel Kilmore, Cavan on March 25.