We’re about to start our final trail restoration and trash project scheduled for this Saturday.  Have to stop for the year until November because of the heat and our reptile friends.  The snakes are starting to stir and it’s not worth the risk to put people who volunteer their time in danger.  That’s not what I really wanted to talk about, just an observation. 

What I really wanted to talk about and do is to say THANKS to all of the people who have supported us over the last year on our projects:  Over 100 hours donated in the last year!  I also wanted to talk about building your volunteer groups and our success this season.  We started our group in January 07 with 4 members, all family and have grown to 16 members on our final project.  Still have the same family members but have added 2 family friends and a group of enthusiastic students from Arizona State Universities RAD Recycling Club.  RAD stands for Ready Aware Devoted and they truely are that!  They will have 10 members at our next project and we are going to get so much accomplished with their help.  So Thanks to all of you for you support!

My whole point in all of this is when you start your group, don’t get discouraged if you only have 2 or 3 or 4 members because 4 members X 2 hours work is one full day for a Park Ranger or whoever you are helping, it makes a difference.  Count on your family, friends but also find like minded groups and be persistant and people will join.  This takes effort on your part but believe me it’s worth every minute you spend.  I mentioned before how appreciative our Park Ranger is and how he marvels at how much we get accomplished in one 2 hour session.  I only wish we could do more and didn’t have to take the summer off. 

So I’m off to hibernate from volunteering at the park until next Fall.  Guess I will just have to find some indoor volunteering activities this summer!