Worthy recognition for Mayo community activist Marie Crowe
MARIE Crowe, who works as a customer assistant at Tesco Claremorris, has been crowned a National Community Hero as part of Tesco’s Value Awards.
The Value Awards are Tesco Ireland’s annual internal awards programme, celebrating colleagues who go above and beyond for customers every day.
Since joining the store in 2007, Marie has become a central figure in the Claremorris community.
Over the years, she has raised an incredible €160,000 for local causes and has been a driving force behind fundraising for Tesco’s charity partner, the Children’s Health Foundation.
Originally from Barnacarroll but now living in Claremorris, Marie has led numerous community initiatives and has organised various cake sales.
Marie said she was totally shocked when her name was announced as a National Community Hero.
“I was flabbergasted as I never expected it. The awards ceremony took place in the Castleknock Hotel, Dublin, and there were six different categories from across all of the Tesco stores in Ireland.
"When it came to the category in which I was nominated, they said that there were almost 4,000 entries in total, and I thought to myself that I didn’t stand a chance. And then when they called out my name as the winner, I couldn’t believe it.
"Since then, in the Tesco store here in Claremorris, it’s almost like being a celebrity. It was nice to have a night out in Dublin; however, it is all about the charities, especially the Children’s Health Foundation.”
Marie appreciates the support from her work colleagues and customers.
“The customers have been very supportive of me, as well as all of the staff here in Tesco Claremorris. I always enjoy meeting the customers at the Customer Service desk, and we would have the same customers every week and you really get to know them, especially some of the older customers who might call into the store after Mass.
"The older customers always love chatting for a couple of minutes, and for some it might be the only time that they would get to meet people all day.
“I also find that whenever we have any fundraising bake sales that the local community always comes out in force and shows their support.”
Marie started working in Tesco Claremorris when the store first opened in 2007 and she loves her role as customer assistant.
“Over the years here at Tesco, I worked on the shop floor for almost six years, did stock control, and eventually I was given the customer assistant role. I love my role at the customer assistant desk, and it is great to meet people and help them.
“Over the years we hosted a Pink Ribbon fundraiser – which on one day alone raised €25,000.
“For the 14 or 15 years that I have been fundraising, I would have raised over €160,000. Cake sales are our big fundraiser and that would normally generate at least €5,000. It brings me such joy to see the children enjoying themselves here in the shopping centre and seeing the activities, clowns and face-painting.
"It also brings a great boost to the staff morale here in Tesco and there is a great buzz in the store and the customers also enjoy the occasion. We also have music on the day of a cake sale and that adds to the atmosphere here at the Silverbridge Shopping Centre, and all of those things combined make it all worthwhile.”
Marie said the local community knows that she will do the best she can if asked to help out with a fundraiser.
“Over the years we have helped local people with fundraising and anytime a fundraiser is needed people might call up to me in the store and ask would I able to organise a fundraiser, and I will always do everything in my power to help out. I put things together which is probably my strong point, and then that leads to a team being set up for the various fundraisers.
“Being at the customer service desk affords me the opportunity to fundraise for the local causes as well as the charity of the year. There is one local woman in particular, and I might ask her to make one or two pies for the cake sale, and she will end up making 10. I have good work colleagues here and a good store manager, and that team work makes things a lot easier when it comes to fundraising.”
Marie said that she has learned a lot from her parents kindness towards others.
“I am from Barnacarroll originally and now live in Claremorris. My mother and father were always very good with their neighbours and would always help out in any way they could. I suppose that generosity brushed off on me as well and we as a family have learned a lot from our parents.”
There is a great camaraderie in Tesco Claremorris, as she explained.
“I would know a lot of our customers who come into the store, and we would always have a chat. At Christmas time, we might wear fancy dress and last year I dressed up as Mrs. Brown from Mrs. Brown’s Boys, and one of my work colleagues dressed up as ‘Winnie’ from the same TV show and the customers enjoy that bit of fun and banter when they visit the store.”
Marie said that a lot of children from south Mayo have to make the trip to hospitals in Dublin. “A lot of children from Claremorris and surrounding areas are going to Temple Street and Crumlin children’s hospitals. Fundraising is vital for these services and that is why I always try and do the best that I can.”
Receiving the award in Dublin was a proud night for Marie and her family.
“My husband and family were delighted with the award. A great fiend of mine and work colleague, Angela Jennings, also made the trip to the awards ceremony. As I said, I was shocked when I was announced as the winner.”
There is no rest for Marie and she also had information on a major fundraiser taking place in Tesco Claremorris, situated in the Silverbridge Shopping Centre.
“We have the big Children’s Health Foundation fundraiser taking place here in Tesco Claremorris next Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We would appreciate as much help as possible on the day, such as bakers willing to donate cakes, and any volunteers who would like to help out on the day as well. We have always had music at the Children’s Health Foundation fundraiser, but this year will be extra special as we will also have sean nós dancing taking place on the day in the Silverbridge Shopping Centre. There will also be some fabulous spot-prizes, and it promises to be a great day for all the family.”
Marie said that she will always be trying to think of innovative fundraisers for local and national causes.
“There will always be another fundraiser, and I will be thinking ‘is there something else that we can do that has never been done before.’ However, there also has to be the fun element to the fundraiser as well. Over the years when we have had a fundraiser in the store, the people attending have always enjoyed the music in the mall and you don’t get that kind of buzz in many shops.”