During our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party on May 13, the San Dieguito River Park recognized the following volunteers with sincere appreciation for their outstanding volunteer service.

Cindy and Victor Uyeji
(nominated by Park Ranger Bryan Ward)

Cindy and Victor are regular trail users who became volunteer Dust Devils at the San Dieguito Lagoon early last year. Victor’s background in small engines and irrigation systems has been helpful in repairing the River Park’s water pump and water line to the nursery. Cindy and Victor are usually the last volunteers to leave the work site, always finding one more weed to pull or one more plant to trim. They both are hard workers and have gone the extra mile by helping during other volunteer events after learning only a couple people have RSVP’d. The River Park greatly appreciates their time and effort.

Ginni Kitchen
(nominated by Park Ranger Bryan Ward)

Ginni started as a Trail Patrol Volunteer several years ago and has become one of our most prolific volunteers. Last year she logged over 600 hours on the trails at the San Dieguito Lagoon and Lake Hodges. She has recruited friends to become trail patrol volunteers and even got her employer to sponsor annual volunteer events at the San Dieguito Lagoon. Ginni takes advantage of her employer’s program that allows employees to volunteer for half a day each quarter, so she attends the coastal Dust Devils and usually brings along a coworker or two. Ginni shares lots of stories and photos from her patrols with the River Park that we can post on our website and social media. The River Park greatly appreciates Ginni’s time and effort.

Tom Brown and Bill McKinney
(nominated by Park Ranger Jake Gibbs)

This dynamic duo of dedicated Dust Devil volunteers have been committing their time and energy in helping the Rangers make the park what it is today for almost 10 years. They both come out 2 days a week and never complain about the work they’re given. They take any chance they can to be out in the park and get their hands dirty and backs achy. We are very lucky and fortunate to have this pair of hard working guys on our team and are looking forward to many more years with them!

Rich Weier
(nominated by Park Ranger Jake Gibbs)

Rich has been a volunteer with the park for over 12 years and is one of our longest running Dust Devils. Each time he comes to work, he is usually the first one to get started and the last one to call it quits. Whether it be planting cactus, which he loves, or weed whipping the trail, he always gives everything his full attention and effort. Thank you Rich for your many years of hard work and dedication!

Shane Heppner
(nominated by Senior Park Ranger David Hekel)

Shane has been a volunteer mountain bike patroller for the park for over two years now. Like a lot of our patrollers he had always been an avid user of the park’s trail systems so when he found out about the SDRP mountain bike patrol it was an easy transition from user to patroller. Shane has put in a lot of hours on mountain bike patrol since then and fortunately for us he shows no signs of slowing down. He gets along well with everyone and is always willing to help someone in need. Shane has been a very motivated volunteer and the park is very lucky to have him helping out. Thank you Shane for all the hard work and dedication you have shown to the park over the years.

Antonella Pak
(nominated by Senior Park Ranger David Hekel)

I met Antonella on the trail a couple of years ago. In fact I chased after her to let her know she was on an illegal connector trail and we had a heated discussion. The rest as they say is history. Not long after that she decided to join the patrol and has been a valuable asset ever since. If you have ever run into her on the trail you know she has an infectious smile and positive caring attitude toward other users. Antonella is always willing to lend a hand with events in the park and has been a great help to me in addressing trail issues in a timely manner. Thank you Antonella for the dedication and passion you have shown to the park and the mountain bike patrol.

Diane Hillman
(nominated by Interpretive Ranger David Vidal)

Dr. Diane Hillman has been involved with volunteering at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead for as long as the site has been open to the public. Luckily for the San Dieguito River Park, Diane is a neighbor who only lives a few blocks from the site and took it upon herself to make significant contributions to the interpretation of the house. She was also involved in the furnishing of the house collection and employed her professional expertise in researching Zenas Sikes’ leg injury. She has been integral in the annual Valentine’s Day Teas and for the Sikes Saturday Series, where she was a presenter; she taught an excellent bread-making class to a packed house. Diane is a skilled and passionate docent and her many hours volunteering at Sikes Adobe have allowed our educational and interpretive programs to flourish. Thank you Dr. Diane Hillman!

District 3 County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar also presented Certificates of Recognition to these volunteers.

Featured image courtesy of Itica Milanes.