Photo by Staff Deb Spencer, Staff Lead and Education Specialist, Carriage Hill MetroPark
" What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good." - Aristotle
In this month of Thanksgiving, we want to thank you, our dedicated volunteers, for the many ways you have made a difference in our parks for our community during this busy volunteer season! YOU ARE the difference at Five Rivers MetroParks and we celebrate YOU!
We're also celebrating our wonderful team of Staff Leads across the agency who plan and lead our volunteers in high-quality, meaningful volunteer opportunities each and every day.
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 on our Get Connected Volunteer Blog all month long. Click here to start sharing appreciation today!
Thank YOU for volunteering!
Thank You for Another Successful Make a Difference Day!
On Saturday, Oct. 22 from 9 AM to noon, 190 community volunteers served at various sites throughout Five Rivers MetroParks to help us clean up our parks, support habitat restoration efforts, and prepare for the winter season.
Service Snapshot:
- 190 volunteers
- 555.75 hours served
- 1255 pounds of landfill litter & debris collected
- 325 pounds of recycling litter & debris collected
- 1.65 miles of rivers and lakes cleaned
- 2.25 acres of invasive species were removed
- 414 trees and shrubs were planted
- 11,000 flowers and bulbs were planted
Pictured Right: Volunteers from the Chaminade Julienne Boys Basketball team joined long-term volunteers and staff to clear brush at Englewood MetroPark.
"We planted 23 trees, and they are well protected to start their growth. This area was also left in great condition removing all the excess materials. These trees will lead to habitat for many different species along with providing fruits and flowers as food sources. Visitors will also enjoy the colorful leaves and flowers from the Red Bud, Sassafras, Tupelo, and Serviceberry trees." - Joseph Joyce, Trail Specialist
Pictured Left: Volunteers planting trees in an area that was freshly cleared of invasive species at Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
"This is the first step in creating an entirely new
edge thicket habitat of native plants at Wegerzyn. We plan to add perennial wildflowers in the future and enlarge the prairie to meet up with this planting bed. we also designed it to have aesthetic value to provide an example for the public for decades to come on how native plants can be used in their yards for both beauty and wildlife value." - Franz Kirchner, Horticulture Technician
Pictured Right: Volunteers planting native plants at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.
Thank you, volunteers, for making a difference in our parks!
Save the dates for Adopt-A-Park, Saturday, April 22nd from 9 am-Noon and the return of Service Saturdays, every third Saturday May-September in your Five Rivers MetroParks.
We'd also like to thank our staff for leading volunteers in meaningful service, and our community sponsors and partners for their generous support:
Presenting Sponsor: CenterPoint Energy Foundation
Additional Support Provided by: CareSource Foundation, Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, Lexis Nexis, and QEI Engineers Inc.
Additionally, in October, AES Ohio celebrated their annual Day in the Parks with us clearing plastic tile at Spring Run Conservation Area and planting trees at Wesleyan MetroPark--Thank you, AES Ohio!
Pictured: AES Ohio employee volunteers with Regional Conservation Manager, Grace Dietsch at Spring Run Conservation area.
Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Locker
In 2014, Sarah started as a Barn Aide volunteer and has completed additional training to serve as a Pony Rides Assistant, an Equestrian Arena Assistant, and an Equestrian Trail Guide. "I enjoy the physical aspect of volunteering," says Sarah. "You'll definitely get your daily steps in if you help with Pony Rides."
Sarah's job as a school therapist allows her to have summers off, and most days, she can be found helping as an Arena Assistant volunteer. Arena Assistants support staff during riding lessons and summer camps. "I love sharing my interest in horses with others, and I learn something new in every class", says Sarah. Her favorite thing about volunteering is socializing with the staff and other volunteers. "Everyone is so friendly and welcoming." While Sarah enjoys working with all the horses, she has a special place in her heart for Duncan and Biscuit.
Sarah Locker has become a staple at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. "Sarah is an amazing volunteer who always goes above and beyond. She is someone that we know we can rely on, and we are always excited to have her come out and help," says Christine Northrup, Equestrian Technician at Carriage Hill. Learn more about volunteering at the Carriage Hill Riding Center here.
Thank you, Sarah, for your time, talents, and enthusiasm! We appreciate all you do for Five Rivers MetroParks.
Meet More Amazing Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteers in our Volunteer Spotlights
Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
While some volunteer opportunities are winding down for the season, new volunteer opportunities and volunteer training are being scheduled. Take a look to see how you can continue to support your Five Rivers MetroParks this season.
See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275. Looking for opportunities where we need the most help right now? View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here.
Don't forget to FAN the Volunteer Positions you support. When you FAN a volunteer position you receive a weekly digest email for that position that includes new volunteer opportunities. It also lets your Volunteer Services team know that you are interested in that position and its opportunities.
Animal Care
Volunteer Dan Darragh with River the Screech Owl.
Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care: Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care Volunteers assist with the daily care of the animals at our Twin Valley Welcome Center including cleaning animal enclosures, socializing, and providing the animals with fresh food and water. All new Wildlife Ambassador volunteers begin with animal care. Additional opportunities for Wildlife Ambassadors include Wildlife Ambassador Program Support and Outreach. These essential volunteers allow us to continue to care for and support these wildlife ambassadors that serve to educate the public on the importance of our conservation mission. Interested in joining the effort? Learn more about what it means to provide animal care for these Wildlife Ambassadors and begin volunteer training by clicking the volunteer button below. Volunteers who complete the virtual training will then be contacted to schedule in-person shadowing.
Volunteer Issac Fry with Christina Northrup getting the stables ready.
Calling all Horse Lovers!
Fall Onboarding for new Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteers: Do you love being around horses? Don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty? Consider joining our team of Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteers! Barn Aide Volunteers assist with essential daily tasks of our equestrian facility such as cleaning stalls, turning horses out to pasture, and providing them with fresh food and water. All new Riding Center volunteers begin as Barn Aides, and then can complete additional training to assist with Pony Rides, Lessons, Camps, and Trail Rides. This opportunity is open to volunteers aged 14 or older. Click the volunteer button below to sign up for a Barn Aide training this fall.
Ambassadors
Ambassadors are often the first friendly face a visitor sees welcoming them to the park and can be counted on to share helpful information and answer a variety of questions. Are you a people person? Here is a great opportunity to share your enthusiasm for Five Rivers MetroParks, 2nd Street Market, and shopping local!
Roaming Market Greeters will rove throughout the Market greeting, welcoming, and interacting with people. Volunteers will provide wayfinding assistance and promote the MetroParks by passing out literature, as well as acting as a second set of eyes and ears for emergency situations. Learn more and sign up by clicking the volunteer button below.
Gardening
Volunteer David Saelens dressed for the season's weather in the garden.
As colder days approach, the landscape and garden beds still need care to ensure a successful spring season! Interested in becoming a gardening volunteer with us? Learn more about how gardening fits in with our mission and explore various gardening opportunities by clicking the volunteer button below. Once you're in Get Connected, don't forget to "Fan" the gardening volunteer position to receive updates on our current volunteer opportunities in the gardens!
Programming
Adventure Central Kitchen Support: Do you enjoy being around kids? Know your way around a kitchen? Support our kitchen staff in preparing, serving, and cleaning up simple meals for the after-school program kids at Adventure Central. Great for student service hours! Click the volunteer button to learn more about this volunteer opportunity and sign up to help.
Skilled Trades
Volunteer Ginny Wood adding buttons to clothing.
Textile and Fiber Arts: Have you "fanned" the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position? Did you know skills like sewing, crocheting, knitting, and weaving are highly valued and in need? We are excited to start offering more opportunities for volunteers to share these valuable skills in support of MetroParks. Currently, we are looking for volunteers with sewing skills to support opportunities at Carriage Hill MetroPark and Possum Creek MetroPark. Check out these opportunities on Get Connected by clicking the volunteer button below.
Special Events
Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk: Welcome the feel of winter with a peaceful evening walk through the luminary-lit paths of Aullwood Garden MetroPark.
December special event season begins at Five Rivers MetroParks with our annual Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk. On Saturday, December 3, join MetroParks education staff as they "light the way" through the paths along the serene Stillwater River, up to the holiday-decorated Marie Aull house. Programs and events at Five Rivers MetroParks allow visitors to be an active part of our mission. Volunteers support a variety of activities during the evening and assist with event set-up and tear-down. Explore volunteer opportunities and sign up to volunteer by clicking the volunteer button below.
Volunteer Amy Korpieski helps decorate for the Holiday events.
Holidays events at Carriage Hill MetroPark will be returning this winter! Mark your calendars and save these dates to help us celebrate Christmas on the Farm returning Saturday, December 10th, and A Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill Farm returning Saturday, December 17th. Volunteer opportunities will include set up, tear down, and activity support. Look for these opportunities to post soon on Get Connected! You can view all of our holiday volunteer opportunities by searching 'Holiday' or just clicking this link.
Get Connected Tech Tip
Interested in committing to ongoing volunteer service with us? Consider opportunities open to long-term volunteers. These are volunteers that commit to ongoing service of a year or more with Five Rivers MetroParks and complete our full volunteer onboarding qualifications including:
- Emergency Contact Information
- Volunteer Profile
- Review & Signature of the FRMP Volunteer Handbook
- Sterling Background Check
View volunteer opportunities open only to long-term volunteers and if interested, you can easily complete the onboarding qualifications and most required training online to qualify. Simply click the blue RESPOND button on a long-term volunteer opportunity and the Get Connected site will walk you through each required qualification online. We can also help you complete your volunteer qualifications in-person at a one-on-one Help Session.
You can now view all of our Tech Tips separately on our Volunteer Blog!
Let us show you around the Get Connected site in-person at an upcoming Help Session!
Not sure if a Help Session will really help? Check out the positive feedback we've received from other volunteers just like you:
"I just wanted you to know that I had a very good experience attending the help session for the volunteer system. I was paired with Janelle Leonard who has always been one of my favorite park people. She was very patient and helpful. She guided me step by step through the process including the background check. I truly don't think I would have been able to navigate this on my own. Thanks for providing me with this help session!"
RSVP for an upcoming Help Session here.
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up.
Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275.
Your Volunteer Services Team
Candy Holloway - Horticulture & Sustainability #(937) 275-5006
Yvonne Dunphe - Outdoor Connections Programming #(937) 277-4147
Allie Zimmerman - Parks & Conservation #(937) 274-3176
Janelle Leonard - Business Operations & Visitor Services #(937) 277-5445
Jenny Hymans - Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services #(937) 567-1413
