Somerset County Park Commission Honors Top Volunteers at Annual Dinner

Neshanic Station, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission honored fourteen top volunteers for 2024 at their Annual Evening of Recognition at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course Clubhouse. The Awards are dedicated to Park volunteers for their generous contributions of talent, time, and caring service that bring pleasure to the people who enjoy Park Commission programs, activities, gardens, and natural settings throughout the previous year.“I am so happy to be here honoring the volunteers who help make Somerset County’s Parks so accessible, fun, and attractive,” said Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano. “Whether at the Stables, our award-winning gardens, or the hiking paths through Natirar and the South Branch Preserve, volunteers help make our parks the best around.”Barbara Smith was honored with the 2024 Volunteer of the Year award for her dedication to the Stable at Lord Stirling Park. Ms. Smith volunteers more than 300 hours each year to the Stable doing whatever is needed to serve the horses and the public, including time as a trail guide, leading mini hikes with the ponies, schooling the horses, mucking stalls, and participating in special events like the launch of the new trailhead connecting the Stable with the Environmental Education Center.“Barbara’s knowledge and skills as an accomplished equestrian, loyal partner, and great friend to all are invaluable to the Stable at Lord Stirling Park,” said Anne Poltorak, Stable Program Coordinator. 

“The Stable’s programs are so successful thanks to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, and Barbara is a great example of their commitment and dedication to our mission.”More than 150 volunteers provided almost 4,500 hours of volunteer service for Park Commission programs and services in 2024, and even more when corporate group volunteer days are included. Volunteers provide a variety of services, including supporting residents with disabilities in Therapeutic Recreation, mulching trails and planting native trees, building boardwalks, caring for horses at the Stables at Lord Stirling, tending to the award-winning gardens throughout the parks, and more.In addition to Ms. Smith, nine additional top 2024 volunteers were honored for their many hours contributed to Somerset County Park programs such as the Colonial Park Gardens, the Stable at Lord Stirling Park, and Therapeutic Recreation: Bobbi Davitt, Lisa Gerickont, Bob Muska, Kathy Ormosi, Dominika Palasz, Mary Romash, Kathy Schurzky; Baldev Singh, and Carol Weingaertner.Ms. Weingaertner was also honored for an amazing 35 years as a Park Commission Volunteer, and was joined by service award winners Barbara Sullivan for 20 years, Lavonne Heydel for 10 years, and Domecq Smith for five years.The Somerset County Park Commission offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Many citizens and local business leaders loyally serve in this capacity, as individuals committed to offering their time and expertise to enhance the quality of life of Somerset County. Some of the volunteer opportunities, however, are projects which cannot be achieved without the concerted efforts that a group can provide. These include conservation efforts, land management projects, park beautification, and assistance at special events. Group volunteer efforts benefit the Park Commission, and just as importantly, benefit the corporate group. Individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in volunteer opportunities with the Somerset County Park Commission can visit https://www.somersetcountyparks.org/volunteers to learn more, or email Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Owen at sowen@scparks.org.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: Somerset County Park Commission 2024 Volunteer of the Year Barbara Smith (R) riding Olympus alongside fellow Stable at Lord Stirling Park volunteer Marcy Levine riding Weston at the opening of the multi-use trail at Lord Stirling Park in April, 2024.PHOTO CAPTION 2: Somerset County Park Commission 2024 Volunteer of the Year Barbara Smith (with award) with Somerset County Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano and Somerset County Commissioners Paul Drake and Sara Sooy

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