Parks & Recreation

Volunteer Service Awards

Most Dependable Volunteer of 2009

Billy Kerstein, MLNP
Billy began volunteering at Moccasin Lake Nature Park to achieve 75 Bright Futures hours for college scholarships.  Billy quickly proved himself a valuable part of the park team and decided to stay on after his hours were completed.  In the past few years, Billy has mentored many younger volunteers and lead groups of all sizes in important invasive plant removal projects.  He is committed to completing 400 hours in addition to his previous 75 and will definitely make that mark and exceed it.  Billy is truly invaluable to the nature park and its staff and we are proud to have him as part of the Parks and Rec family.

2009 Volunteer of the Year
 
Louis Schuster
Lou Schuster began working with the Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department as an Umpire.  Once retired, he decided to transition into volunteering.  Lou can now be found at the front desk of the Long Center where he greets patrons and provides valuable assistance to staff.
Lou consistently goes above and beyond in what is asked of him.  He not only greets and assists patrons, answers the phones and assists staff in countless ways, he does it all with a smile.  We all know that a smile is contagious so Lou is well known for putting a smile on everyone’s face.

Lou won the Most Dependable Volunteer award for 2007 and has earned over 700 hours of service to date; 260 in the last year alone.  Great job Lou and we are proud to have you as a part of our family!

2009 Service Group of the Year

University of Tampa, P.E.A.C.E. Volunteer Center
Since the beginning of 2009, students from the P.E.A.C.E. Volunteer Center have been crossing Tampa Bay to help their neighbors in Clearwater. Starting with a multi-phase planting project on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, moving over to Glen Oaks Park and even giving time at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, UT volunteers have canvassed our community and given countless hours of service time.  Led by Coordinator Michael Seitzler, this organization has won a place in our hearts and we truly appreciate their efforts in our community.  They exemplify the idea of helping out your neighbor and we feel they are the obvious choice for our first ever Service Group of the Year award.

2009 Volunteer Appreciation Party at Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Volunteers in Action