Tokens of Appreciation
In this month of Thanksgiving, we want to thank you, our dedicated volunteers and staff, for the many ways you have made a difference in our parks all year long! YOU ARE the difference at Five Rivers MetroParks and we celebrate YOU!
We've created a way for you to give thanks and express gratitude for our amazing volunteers and staff by submitting stories and notes of appreciation through our Share Appreciation link. Volunteer Services will share the submissions with the identified volunteers and/or staff and publish stories here in our Get Connected Volunteer Blog all month long.
Click here to start sharing appreciation today!
Token of Appreciation for: Carol Williamson
"Thanks for volunteering at multiple MetroParks sites and for helping the Outdoor Recreation team with Outreach and a mundane but important data entry project."
-Angela Moore, Event Specialist
Token of Appreciation for: Derrick Keating, Outdoor Recreation Program Coordinator
"Derrick is an all-around team player. Although he can slide under the radar, as he is usually quiet and keeps his thoughts to himself, he is quick to find a solution to nearly every problem we face on the Rec Team. Our team relies on Derrick to keep us on task and move meetings along, find the most efficient way to do just about anything, and run nearly every paddling program we offer. He worked tirelessly (but hopefully not thanklessly) this summer to ensure our kids' kayak camps were top-tier. He puts his heart into everything he does and has the courage to speak up when he feels it is needed. Thanks for being a great asset to the team, Derrick! Your team appreciates all you do."
-Anonymous
Token of Appreciation for: Angela York, Outdoor Recreation Special Events Coordinator
"Angela is a fighter! She is strong but allows herself to be vulnerable. She shares her fears, her worries, and her triumphs with her team and she truly cares about each and every person she meets. She is a fierce dog-mama and would go to the end of the world for her fur-child, Miles. I admire her courage, her humility, and her sass. Angela is a firecracker and a force to be reckoned with. She is not afraid to speak her mind and she doesn't care who you are. I respect that so much. You are a rockstar, Angie!"
-Anonymous
Token of Appreciation for: Rick Asamoto, Programming Volunteer
"Rick is like a quiet force of nature. He likes to learn new things but is usually found in the background - but not in a bad way. He is always looking for what needs to be done, seeing that it gets done and stepping back to look for what's next, or waiting for instruction. He has great attention to detail, and I love that when it comes to equipment management. He is quick with a smile and blends right in with whatever program or project he has signed up for. Rick has been a wonderful new addition to the fishing volunteer group!"
-Kelly Kingery, Outdoor Recreation Program Specialist
Token of Appreciation for: Phil Bush, Programming Volunteer
"One of my newer volunteers has been so fun to get to know. Phil has been so helpful in the fishing program. There are things that need dealt with behind the scenes sometimes before we can ever get to the programming part of the job, and it is great to have volunteers that we can call on to help with those kinds of projects. Phil is definitely one of those guys! He is so willing to jump in - sometimes literally - and get dirty, to get the job done, so that the show can go on. He is knowledgeable and dependable, and I know that I can turn him loose on something and he will check in and update me, send photos, and ask if there is anything else I'd like done. He has ideas of his own that he knows he can offer as solutions, and we have a great rapport. I love his humor and wit and he is so wonderful when working with the kids in the fishing programs, helping them do things they didn't think they could, and reveling in their joy with them when they do it. He also volunteers for other groups in MetroParks, and I know he is a great ambassador for all things that are going on throughout the parks everywhere. I look forward to working with my friend, Phil for some time to come."
-Kelly Kingery, Outdoor Recreation Program Specialist
Token of Appreciation for: Carol Lutz, Administrative Volunteer
"Since we lost our SharePoint form for RiverScape attendance counts, the forms have been stacking up since March. Recently, a new form was created on Compass and Volunteer Services was contacted to try and find a volunteer that was able to enter this data. Carol was contacted and agreed to do this. I set up a training for her and, at the last minute, I had to have someone else perform the training. Carol contacted me afterwards and said that the training went well and that Tania Baxter, the trainer I had selected, did a great job and was really personable and professional. I definitely appreciate Carol taking this task on as the forms had grown into a Yellow Pages size stack of documents."
-John Niswonger (JT), Administrative Assistant
Token of Appreciation for: Jeff Warden, Programming Volunteer
"Jeff has been such a delight to have helping with MetroParks's fishing programs. He has been a volunteer for many years now and has taken extra initiative to go beyond the standard trainings offered through the agency and attended trainings and received certifications through organizations like the Ohio Department of Natural Recourses, Division of Wildlife and Fly Fishers International. The mentorship program he helps spearhead at the local Miami Valley Fly Fishers club also speaks of his heart for helping others. His vast knowledge and commitment are invaluable in being able to assist in a wide variety of fishing styles and topics. He always is prepared to stand before a group of participants as a representative of the volunteer program as well as a competent instructor in the sport, dressed in appropriate angler's attire (weather specific) and volunteer services issued identification. He exemplifies a model volunteer in word and action and is always willing to learn as much as he is to teach. It is my privilege to call Jeff one of my friends as well as one of my dependable volunteers."
-Kelly Kingery, Outdoor Recreation Program Specialist
Token of Appreciation for: The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience Volunteers
"As Thanksgiving approaches, we wanted to take the time to thank you all again for your amazing volunteer work at the 2022 Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. We truly could not have done it without your hard work. We had 145 volunteers for over 771 hours of work!"
-Angela Moore, Outdoor Recreation Events Specialist
Token of Appreciation for: Austin Lathrop (Lead), Justin Conley, and Avery DeCamp, Horticulture Technicians
"It has been a long couple of months getting Cox Arboretum back on track after being short-staffed, but never once have these lovely people complained. They come in and put in the effort every day and it really pays off. They work hard and always are having a good time and for that I am grateful."
Token of Appreciation for: Brent Anslinger, Outdoor Recreation Program Manager
Token of Appreciation for: Jordan Hart, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator
"He always has my back. He encourages others when they are experiencing moments of self-doubt, he works hard to ensure the Outdoor Rec team is operating efficiently and consistently goes above and beyond, working tirelessly toward his goals and aspirations. He is an incredible role model, team player, and one of the most valuable assets Five Rivers MetroParks possesses. I am so proud to work alongside people like Jordan, because I know I am working with someone who values the integrity and quality of all things, big or small. Thank you, Jordan! You are the GOAT."
-Anonymous
Token of Appreciation for: MVPs (MetroParks Volunteer Patrol)
"I am so thankful for the many volunteers who serve as the "eyes" and "ears" out in the parks, on the trails, and in MetroParks conservation areas. The MVPs including the Pond Patrol and Conservation Caretakers do a tremendous service for the parks every day--THANK YOU!"
-Anonymous
Token of Appreciation for: All Five Rivers MetroParks Staff and Volunteers; Janelle Leonard, Kelly Wood, Ramon Watson, Allie Zimmerman, Yvonne Dunphe, Jenny Hymans
"I would like to thank all of the 5RMP staff and fellow volunteers for making all volunteer events as fun and successful as possible! The training required and, the safety elements that need covered are all provided before any event.
I also need to mention the friendships made and the comradery enjoyed while working with the other volunteers at all the events. Keep up the great work! Thanks to all!"
-Ken Evanchuck, Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer
Token of Appreciation for: Becky Benna, Executive Director
"I volunteered again for "Make a Difference Day". I wanted to repeat helping at our Medlar site. This was a well-organized activity, and the volunteer turnout was also good. As we were receiving instructions for our event, Becky Benna arrived at the site. She was dressed and ready to assist with our event. It was nice to see 5RMP staff performing hands-on help with the volunteers. It was especially nice to see the CEO of our Park System assisting! The event went very well, and all involved did a great job sharing the burden. Nice team building to see management doing the same work as the volunteers. Another fun and successful activity completed with the Five Rivers Metro Parks! Thanks to all!"
-Ken Evanchuck, Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer
Token of Appreciation for: Katherine Berg and the Riding Center Staff
"Katherine does a great job managing the center and is so patient and kind with both volunteers and riders. I have been to many riding centers and this one is one of only a few I have seen that takes excellent care of the horses. I am so grateful that the center is part of our community. The whole staff is a joy to work with and they are always express appreciation to their volunteers."
-Carla Fox, Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer
Token of Appreciation for: Aullwood Volunteers
"To the Magnificent Seven! .. no, uhmm… well, there are actually more than seven -you know who you are Aullwood Garden Volunteers, and I am so grateful and appreciative of each and every one of you for spending your time with me, assisting with the various tasks here at Aullwood Garden, be it weeding, raking, pruning, decorating, planting, eradicating, researching, documenting…!! Your attentiveness, follow through, and positive attitude to tackle tasks is outstanding! Each of you always come armed -with smiles, laughter and good conversation that always brightens my day!! I would also like to send out a huge high five to all who assisted with the 2022 December Luminary Walk -it couldn't have been such a great success without each of you, so thank you so very much for making it a huge success, and such an enjoyable, memorable evening for all who came to visit - You Each ARE Magnificent and I am so blessed to know each of you, thank you!!"
-Beth Langford, Horticulture Technician
