Glacier National Park Volunteer Blog
May 20, 2010

The volunteer season has begun! Our first volunteer day of the year was on Saturday, May 15th and was sponsored by the Glacier National Park Associates (GNPA). After breakfast provided by Jackie, a brief business meeting, and a presentation of the GNPA “Volunteer of the Year” (Congratulations Rich!), 24 volunteers headed out to the field. The weather was perfect for completing work on the Avalanche Trail, installing information boards in the North Fork, assembling and information kiosk, and working at the native plant nursery. Great job everyone!

I also want to highlight the great work done by all of the volunteers contributing to the success of the May 11th Centennial Rededication ceremony. An estimated 800+ attended the ceremony at the Community building and the event received accolades from many media sources. 25 volunteers helped to plan, set up before the event, served snacks and cake, welcomed attendees, directed parking, photographed and videotaped the ceremony, lead tours of the HQ historic district, and a variety of other tasks. 200 hours were dedicated by volunteers on May 10th and 11th alone. What a great way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of Glacier National Park!

We are also looking for a few local volunteers to fill in gaps for Transit System volunteer program. If you live nearby, enjoy working with people, and have 1 day per week to dedicate to the program please let Glenn Johnson know. Glenn can be reached at 406-888-5964. Volunteers with this program work 6 hours at either the Apgar Transit Center or at Logan Pass greeting visitors and explaining the use of the Transit System. There will be 2 required training sessions on June 16th & June 26th for these volunteers. The Transit System runs July through early September.

Next time I will give an update on 2 new volunteer programs in the works. One is to help prevent the infestation of Invasive Aquatic Species (AIS), and the other is to assist our backcountry staff.

Until then, have fun, be safe, and keep up the great work!

Glacier National Park Volunteer Blog
October 4, 2010

I can't believe that it's been 3 months since my last entry! This centennial year has been a busy, exciting, and successful time for all of us here at Glacier National Park. With the record visitation and the special events and programs, we couldn't have done it without our dedicated volunteers.

One of these volunteers is a gentleman named Denver Beddingfield. Denver's first visit to Glacier was in the June of 2002. That was a particularly good year for snow and there was still 75 feet of it reported at the Big Drift along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, so the alpine section was still closed. He vowed to come back and decided to see about volunteering with us so he could be sure to see the entire road sometime during the year.

In 2005 Denver spent his first season as a full-time volunteer interpreter working out of our Apgar office, and the rest, as they say, is history. He has been coming back every year since, and has donated over 4,000 hours to Glacier National Park. But you cannot judge Denver's accomplishments and dedication by numbers alone.

Denver's kindness, gentleness, and ever present smile greet visitors and employees alike. He is always willing to help wherever he is needed and never complains. One of his personal mottos is that "small things can make a big difference," and what a difference he has made! Even though this season was particularly challenging for him due to health issues, he continued to do whatever he could to help.

This willingness to give has led him to volunteering overseas as well. Beginning 2 years ago Denver has traveled to Honduras several times to assist in distributing hygiene products, starting a health clinic, supporting homeless shelters and food banks, and many other activities. He has found this rewarding, and considers himself lucky to be able to help.

Whenever I think of Denver, I think of how willing he is to give to those around him. I am lucky to know Denver as one of our volunteers and as a friend.

Until next time, have fun, be safe, and keep up the great work!