JustServe is a service designed to help community organisations and potential volunteers meet up. On the website (JustServe.org), the needs of such organisations may be posted and volunteers may search for opportunities to serve, thereby helping those in need and also enhancing the quality of life in the community. JustServe does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in posting projects or in encouraging volunteers.
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Sam Gray, a fifteen year old member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Boy Scout, took the lead in setting up the JustServe programme in the Dublin area. Sam was looking for a project that would help him achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank a Scout can earn in Scouts BSA. The project needed to be major enough to benefit the community or country where he resides. While looking for a potential project Sam and his dad spoke with Mark Coffey, President for the Dublin Stake (diocese) of the Church.
President Coffey asked Sam if he would consider taking the lead role in setting up JustServe for the Stake. Sam said that it sounded amazing to him because it not only fit all the requirements for his project but would also have the potential to grow over time. Sam then needed to complete a comprehensive proposal before speaking with his Scout leader and President Coffey to get final approval for his project.
After conferring with Michael Holton, one of President Coffey’s senior advisors, it was agreed that a committee should be organised comprising themselves and other Stake leaders and members. Sam conducted the meetings of this committee.
After an initial slow start, the momentum increased and continues to do so under Sam's guidance and leadership. There is now a JustServe Facebook page and, at time of writing, there are a number of organisations signed up with a total of 58 volunteering opportunities. Sam will soon be leaving his role as he comes to the end of his project, and the role will be taken up by another member of the Stake.
Sam said he would like to thank President Holton, and the JustServe committee for all the help they have given him and how much they did that he couldn't do himself.
He continued “I would like to especially thank my Mom and Dad. I used to think it was weird that the Boy Scouts award parents and give them an Eagle Pin as well but now I realize why, it's because of all the work and time they put into helping their Scout get to that point. I have really enjoyed working on this project and helping not only the Dublin area but also the entire country. I've been contacted by several Church members in the Munster area and in Northern Ireland who are eager to learn more about JustServe and how to get it up and running. I would encourage everyone to sign up and get serving. I can't wait to see how JustServe develops and grows over the next period”.