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2022 Volunteer Awards

Volunteer Awards

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  • CSO, Long-Term and Short-Term Project Awards
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2022 Volunteer Recognition Awards

Florida State Parks is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Volunteer Recognition Awards. Volunteers are an integral part of our workforce. They contribute time, energy and skills to park management and visitor experiences.

This year, volunteers gathered locally to recognize the award recipients. It’s not often that we can all come together to celebrate. And together, over the past 12 months, we have done an amazing job of delivering quality experiences to millions of visitors and caring for the natural and cultural resources in our award-winning state parks.

To all our volunteers, we say “Thank You” for an amazing job well-done in 2022. We offer our heartfelt appreciation for the many hours of work you contribute to help us achieve our goals.

Adult and Youth Volunteers of the Year

Gary Ellison
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Volunteer Spotlight, Gary Ellison

Gary Ellison is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of Year Award for Maintenance.
Elaine Fisher works on a prescribed fire.
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Volunteer Spotlight, Elaine Fisher

Elaine Fisher is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of the Year Award for Protection.
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Volunteer Spotlight, Rich Gallik

Rich Gallik is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of the Year Award for Visitor Services.

Volunteer Terrence Helmers
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT, Terence Helmers

Terence “Terry” Helmers is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of the Year Award for the Greener Initiative.
Debbie LaFreniere and Don Philpott
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Volunteer Spotlight, Debbie LaFreniere

Debbie LaFreniere is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of the Year Award for Administration.
Don Philpott with Val Hahn at Rock Springs Run State Reserve.
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Volunteer Spotlight, Don Philpott

Don Philpott is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of the Year Award for Resource Management.

Linda White, volunteer
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT, Linda White

Linda White is the recipient of the 2022 Adult Volunteer of the Year for Visitor Services.
Volunteer Samantha Carlson
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Volunteer Spotlight, Samantha Carlson

Samantha Carlson is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Visitor Services.
Volunteer Bobby Cullen.
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Volunteer Spotlight, Bobby Cullen

Bobby Cullen is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Maintenance.

Volunteer Kya Small-Brush
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT, Kya Small-Brush

Kya Small-Brush is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Resource Management.
The new bike rack at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT, Holly Grace Thompson

Holly Grace Thompson is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Greener Initiative.
Florida State Parks

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