Volunteers were recognized for their excellence in staffing visitor
centers and recreation areas, conducting water safety programs, collecting
manatee data, maintaining trails, and completing carpentry work. Visitor
Center and Park Hosts provide the first face that visitors see representing
the Corps. These volunteers provide valuable information concerning the
project and local area. Water Safety Volunteers reached 20,000 students in
2005 and it is projected 24,000 students will be reached in 2006. These
volunteers provided elementary school students with the essential knowledge
of water safety in and around the water. Manatee Watch volunteers collect
and report valuable data necessary for the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission to report on the number of manatee sitings every
year. This data enables scientists to track manatees and their behavior
across the state of Florida. Hundreds of miles of trails are maintained
around Lake Okeechobee and Okeechobee Waterway that enable over 6 million
visitors a year to view and enjoy the Lake. Our carpenter’s contributions
were
essential to the project’s operations by constructing furniture for
offices, devices that support education about Everglades Restoration,
awards, and retirement plaques.
Additional awards were provided at the luncheon honoring volunteers and
staff members in their commitment to safety and volunteering. Six volunteers
and various staff members were recognized for their excellence in promoting
safety. These recipients received Certificates of Achievement in Safety from
Col., Robert M. Carpenter for their outstanding performance in promoting
water safety programs within the Jacksonville District. These people ensure
that our children are aware of the dangers associated with water and teach
them valuable life saving skills.
Seven volunteers were presented with the President’s
Call To Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic
Participation. This program was created by President Bush to recognize
outstanding volunteers. The lifetime achievement award recognizes
volunteers with over 4,000 hours of service over the course of their
lifetime with a special President’s Call To Service Award. These
volunteers have dedicated all 4,000 hours of service at Lake Okeechobee.
Volunteers are a valuable resource to the South Florida Operations
Office. Without their assistance many projects would fall short of quality,
time, dedication, and thoughtfulness. Over the past year, the volunteers
provided the Corps a Value of Service that exceeded $250,000.00. Their
contributions ensure the success of the South Florida Operations Office and
reflect highly upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Do you have a volunteer success story to share?
We will rotate
stories and print them as space becomes available.
