"Getting on Board!"

Park Board Volunteers Recognized

May 27, 2005 (No. 40) - Over 35 Vancouver Park Board volunteers were honoured last night at the annual Volunteer Awards Banquet. The 23rd annual event, recognizing the vital role volunteers play in the Park Board system, was held aboard a large cruising ship that plied the waters between Coal Harbour and False Creek providing seaside views of Vancouver's newest downtown waterfront parks. This year's theme, "Getting on Board to Volunteer!" reflects the spirit of volunteerism that helps make our neighbourhoods grow and thrive.

Nominations for Volunteer of the Year were put forward from all the Community Centre Associations plus the ParkPartners program, VanDusen Garden , the Stanley Park Ecology Society , Vancouver Aquatic Centre and the Stanley Park Skate Patrol. Nominees were recognized for their spirit, knowledge and thousands of hours of service to a wide range of projects and programs.

This year's nominees come from varied backgrounds ranging in age from 18 year old teens to a 92 year old senior - serving on fund raising and development committees, cooking hot meals for seniors, coaching soccer and boxing for children, organizing special tree planting projects, planning community arts events and festivals, providing financial and business advice, participating in park clean ups, helping people with disabilities access water sports, acting as mentors for youth, helping out at kids camps, and much more.

Park Board Commissioners were on hand at the event to give out the awards. Each nominee received a special certificate and a belt watch with the Park Board's engraved crest and also incorporating a compass.

Eva Riccius, Park Board Chair, said, "We are proud of our volunteers and could not deliver the breadth of our services without them. This annual banquet in an opportunity for us to express our deep appreciation for their commitment and hard work."

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For more information, contact: Terri Clark, Communications Coordinator, at 604-257-8438.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.

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