Above / Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners passed a resolution citing valuable contribution of volunteers to Park District mission, including dedication of youth soccer coaches who contribute to Growing Up with Soccer at the Naperville Park District.
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.
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.”
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.”
Story with photos submitted by Sue Omanson, Community Development Manager, for NPD.
Editor’s Note / Every resident who enjoys local parks and the Riverwalk also can volunteer a little to help keep the parks clean and beautiful by picking up litter and after pets. Thanks to the Naperville Park District for creating the ad that appears in the September issue of Positively Naperville with the headline, “Keep Naperville’s Riverwalk Beautiful!”
