Volunteers Honored at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Date: August 15, 2006
Contact: Nancy Bailey, [phone], ext. 5133

Volunteers Honored at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park honored its volunteers at the Volunteer and Employee Appreciation, 90th Park Anniversary Celebration held on August 2. More than 120 volunteers, staff, and sponsors participated in the event at Manzanita Lake. Mary G. Martin, Park Superintendent, stated, "The Park has many volunteers who contribute to the protection and preservation of one of America’s greatest geological resources." From October through June this year over 86 volunteers have donated more than 5,850 hours. More and more volunteers continue to donate their time during the busy summer season.

Volunteers at the barbecue received  Commemorative 2006 volunteer Nalgene water bottles. Earle Curran and Bob and Peggy Hazencomb received awards for their contributions of over 1,000 hours as campground hosts. Don and Dorothy Hileman were recognized for their 12 years of volunteer service. Alan Wilhelm has been submitted for a Department of the Interior Secretarial Award for his donation of more than 3,000 hours to the Park’s Natural Resources Management, Visitor and Resource Protection, and Interpretation and Cultural Resources Divisions. Kathleen Pietras will receive the Presidential Award for her donation of more than 4,800 volunteer hours to National Parks such as Lassen Volcanic, Glacier, San Antonio Missions, and Hot Springs. Lee Carnegie and Kathleen Pietras were selected as Lassen Volcanic National Park 2006 Volunteers of the Year. Mr. Carnegie volunteered for three years. He assisted with maintenance work during the winter and campground host projects such as electric vehicle upkeep, signage, and building and site maintenance during the summer. Pietras has volunteered for five years and provided visitor information, created flower and trail photographic notebooks, and developed temporary displays.

The event and barbecue lunch were funded much in part through a fundraising effort by the Lassen Loomis Museum Association. Sponsors for this year’s event included Tim O’Brien of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Jerry V. Kehr, Judd Hanna, Collins Pine Company, Aitchison Family Properties, Joan and Dave Cox, Pyramid Printing, Plumas Bank, Chester/Lake Almanor Chamber of Commerce, and Red Bluff/Tehama County Chamber of Commerce. "We are very grateful for the support of these community partners," stated Martin. "It is only through their generous contributions that the Park could have this special volunteer recognition event."