Community Corner
Naperville Park District Board Recognizes Volunteers
In a typical year, 2,850 volunteers give 81,000 hours to support Park District programs and projects.
September 11, 2020
Volunteers have contributed time, enthusiasm and talent to the Naperville Park District’s mission since the District’s early years. In a typical year, 2,850 volunteers give 81,000 hours to support Park District programs and projects, which is valued at more than $2 million, according to estimates by Independent Sector.
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In 2020, the District was not able to hold its annual volunteer appreciation picnic at Centennial Beach due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, the Park District board and staff wish to show their appreciation of volunteers and have planned to do so in several other ways in the month of September.
At the September 10, 2020 park board meeting, park commissioners approved a resolution recognizing Naperville Park District volunteers as “vital to the success of the Park District and the fulfillment of our mission.” Additionally, the District included an infographic on page 5 of the Autumn Program Guide recognizing and thanking volunteers. Executive Director Ray McGury said in his Autumn 2020 letter, “Naperville has a tradition of giving back, and I’m proud that our Park District volunteers contribute so much to our community in the spirit of helping others.”
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Volunteers work behind the scenes to support many different Park District services and resources for the community. Parents coach their children’s youth athletic teams, scouts and corporate groups pull weeds in parks, entire families help Magical Starlight Theatre perform musicals, and hundreds of students help events like Halloween Happening and Santa House to run smoothly.
“Thank you to everyone who has given their time, talent and energy to help the Park District,” said McGury. “We truly appreciate all that you do for the community and look forward to reinstating an annual volunteer appreciation event when restrictions are lifted.”
This press release was produced by the Naperville Parks District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
