Westminster, MD, Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – On Thursday, November 7th Carroll County’s Department of Recreation and Parks honored its committed volunteers.  Highlighting four award categories, the department recognized over 50 individual and group recipients. “The success of the recreation and park programs could not happen without the dedication and time given by the community volunteers,” said Bob Hicks, Director.  “We thank all our volunteers and congratulate this year’s awardees.”

2024 Volunteer Award Recipients

Awardees are nominated by their respective Council or Facility group:

  • Lisah Tontala – Carroll County Arts Council
  • Gina Miller – Carroll County Equestrian Council
  • Matt Purkins – Carroll County Sports Complex
  • Rebekah Krolus-Scheffel – Central Carroll Recreation Council
  • The Hott Family – Charles Carroll Recreation Council
  • Lori Doyle – Freedom Area Recreation Council
  • Dave Jeffrey – Friends of South Carroll Dog Park
  • Karen Roberts – Hashawha/Bear Branch Advisory Council
  • Chris Vaughn – North Carroll Recreation Council
  • Renee Schoff – Piney Run Recreation & Conservation Council
  • Kyle Myers – West Carroll Recreation Council
  • Chris Borcik – Westminster Area Recreation Council
  • Jackie Brown – Winfield Recreation Council
  • Brent Talley – Woodbine Recreation Council

2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

To be considered for the Hall of Fame, volunteers dedicate a minimum of twenty (20) years of their time and talent and make significant contributions resulting in a lasting impact. The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board scores and selects the Hall of Fame recipients. The 2024 inductees are:

  • Malachowski Family
  • Tony Chiavacci
  • Brad Rockwood

Helping Hands Volunteers

The Helping Hands – Keep Our Parks Green Program consists of local groups and organizations that help keep their local parks beautiful with organized clean-ups, trash pickups and trail maintenance.  This year’s groups include:

  • Deer Park Lions Club
  • Ecowarriors of Maryland
  • Girl Scout Brownie Troop 2343
  • The Stine Family
  • The ARC Carroll County Group 1 & 2
  • H. Furr – Penn Mar
  • Carroll Lutheran Village Volunteers
  • Carroll County Democratic Central Committee
  • Ebenezer United Methodist Church
  • Freedom District Lions Club
  • J. Miller, LLC
  • Westminster Aktion Club
  • The Du Family
  • Altria Group Distribution
  • The Outdoorsmen

Park Legacy Fund Donors

The Carroll County Park Legacy Fund was established to accept contributions from individuals, families, businesses, and corporations to improve and enhance our county parks for future generations.

Sponsor ($1,000-$4,999)

  • Catherine Best
  • Deer Park Lions Club
  • Donna Conoscenti
  • Geary Schwemmer
  • John Rill
  • John Wise
  • Mason Coyne
  • Rill Family
  • Ronald Zumbrun

Patron ($500-$999)

  • Michael and Naomi Esh