ONSLOW COUNTY

PARKS & RECREATION

AWARDS BANQUET

Volunteers who played key roles in recreation in the county in 2007 were honored October 11^th at the 25^th Annual Onslow County Parks & Recreation Volunteer Appreciation Awards Banquet.  More than 1,500 volunteers helped keep Onslow County’s recreation programs going in 2007.  The department recognized 22 individuals and businesses for their contributions.

The Department’s Volunteer of the Year Awards were presented to:

• Tim Aldrich, Swansboro Youth Baseball/Softball
• Amanda Allen, Richlands Youth Cheerleading
• Tina Spears, Southwest Baseball/Softball
• Jane Watkins, Swansboro Youth Basketball
• Belinda Pangborn, Swansboro Youth Cheerleading
• VFW Post 9133
• Charles Jefferson Jr., White Oak Youth Baseball/Softball
• Drake Jenkins, Dixon Youth Baseball/Softball
• Tina Busby, White Oak Youth Baseball/Softball
• Becky Moore, Southwest Youth Cheerleading
• Matt Willaby, Summersill Youth Baseball/Softball
• Jody and Vicki Davis, Dixon Youth Baseball/Softball

The Special Citation Awards were given for outstanding contributions to department programs. The recipients were:

• Cut and Edge Lawn Service, Swansboro, supporting SwansboroYouth Baseball/Softball programs
• Down East Heating/AC, supporting Southwest Youth Baseball/Softball programs
• Edward Kennedy, White Oak Youth Basketball coach
• Melissa St. Clair, supporting Special Events
• Dr. Laurie Spring, Principal, Onslow County Schools, supporting youth team sports and special programs

The Tom Hewitt Meritorious Service Award, presented to individuals with a minimum of 10 years of service to the department, went to:

• Myron Beaver, Summersill Youth Baseball/Softball
• Craig Smith, Swansboro Youth Baseball/Softball
• Tim Foster, Southwest Youth Baseball/Softball
• John Morgan, Richlands Youth Basketball

The Employee of the Year Award was presented to:

•  Thomas Claudiodiaz, Park Maintenance employee

Cynthia Tart, a National Recreation and Park Association Trustee, and Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Board Member, was the guest speaker.  She spoke on the impact of volunteer service, and her personal experiences with community involvement.  Other distinguished guests included Senator Harry Brown, Onslow County Board of Commissioners member Lionell Midgett, and from the NC House of Representatives, members George Cleveland and Russell Tucker.  The distinguished guests assisted Mac Sligh, Director of the Parks & Recreation Department, with the distribution of awards.  Ninety people attended the banquet.