Columbia City Parks Department prepares to honor gifts of 150 volunteers at 'Holiday Cheers for Volunteers'
(Talk of the Town file photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) On a warm September evening, above, sixth grade Junior Football League coaches, all volunteers for the Columbia City Parks Department, spend time and energy explaining plays for the coming weekend's game. Volunteers, including sporting coaches, make a positive impact on the community by sharing their time.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Whether pruning the flower-laden gardens in the city's many parks or providing an encouraging word on the football field, volunteers make Columbia City a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
On December 7, 2011, at 7 p.m. at Indian Springs Middle School more than 150 city volunteers will be praised for the gifts they share with this community during an event Columbia City Parks Department director Mark Green has called "Holiday Cheers for Volunteers."
The event is a small gesture of respect and appreciation Green believes will go a long way in letting volunteers know just how important they are to the city's parks.
"I think a lot of times people do not understand that we could not operate the parks department without volunteers, and we are fortunate that our community is filled with outstanding volunteers," Green said. "This will be just a little way that we can say thank you to them for helping us in the parks department."
Green said volunteers fill a lot of key roles in the community -- head coaches, assistant coaches, gardeners, committee members and much more.
Invitations were mailed to volunteers about three weeks ago, but Green hopes to get a few more RSVPs before the event next week. To RSVP, call the Parks Department at 248-5180.
In addition to a brief recognition program, guests will enjoy desserts made by Brenda Angier from Brenda’s Candy Coop & Bakery.