Parks & Rec Volunteers Recognizedby Sandi Fahy
Photo by SANDI FAHY CLEARWATER - Earlier this year, Patti Kalaskey was honored by the City of Clearwater's Parks and Recreation Department as one of its four "Most Dependable Volunteers of 2006". The lady who moved here from California in 2004 was recognized again recently when she was named "Volunteer of the Quarter" for April-June, 2007. Kalaskey is one of more than 100 volunteers who donate their time at area parks, recreation centers and special events throughout the year. Kalaskey, who also received the Star Volunteer Program 40-Hour, 80-Hour and 120-Hour Awards at the 3rd Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party at Moccasin Lake Nature Park this spring, assists at the front desk at the Long Center. She greets visitors, answers phones and helps with filing and other office projects. Now that school has started, she will also be helping out with the after school program once again. The other "Most Dependable Volunteers" of 2006 were Logan Clark, Bright Futures volunteer at Moccasin Lake Nature Park for the past two years; Lilian Norris, volunteer at Moccasin Lake Park since 1998; and Sherry Bell, who has logged over 200 hours at special events and festivals since March of 2004. Persons receiving Years of Service Awards at the dinner were Rosemarie Kibitlewski and Jean Carden (9 years); Gloria Acero, John O'Neal, Jennifer O'Neal, Mary Ellen O'Neal, Kelli O'Neal and Judy Christy (8 years); Diana Henderson, Neal Henderson, June Kovac, Rae Marie Roberts, Nan Ruben, Dick Ruben, Joyce Driscoll, Steve Grasso, Randae Vandenover, Lynda Neal and Elaine Lewis (7 years); Ann Tainer (5 years). Star Volunteer Program 40-Hour Awards went to William Corbett, Victoria Jackson, Lisa Gaffney, Laurie Fiess, McKenna Fiess, Davis Fiess, Yolanda Fiess, Roland Fiess, Christine Gerke, Lilian Norris, Christina Lupi, Elena Simon, Lloyd Simmons and Norm Trigger. Recipients of 80-Hour Awards were Savannah Nease, Morgan Falcon, Logan Clark, Sean McLaughlin, Lilian Norris, Elena Simon, William Corbett, Christine Gerke, Lloyd Simmons and Christina Lupi. Those receiving 120-Hour Awards were Brittany Lyp, William Corbett, Logan Clark, Lilian Norris, Elena Simon, Savannah Nease, Sean McLaughlin and Lloyd Simmons. Lyp and Norris were also recipients of 160-Hour and 200-Hour Awards. Simon was further recognized for 160 hours of service. Other 200-Hour Award winners were Rosemarie Kibitlewski, Melissa Mead, Sean McLaughlin and Lloyd Simmons. President's Volunteer Service Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, which included a lapel pin and certificate signed by President George W. Bush, were presented for the first time this year. They went to Rae Marie Roberts, Jean Carden and Tori Goldman (Gold); Ann Tainer (Silver); Aron Anderson, Lilian Norris, Melissa Mead, Savannah Nease, Lloyd Simmons, Brittany Lyp, Morgan Falcon and William Corbett (Bronze). Karen Maldonado is coordinator of the volunteer program for the Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, you may call 562-4803.
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