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Bob Janes Recipient of Humanitarian Award/Leadership in Mental Health
Mar 8, 2005 (Reporters/Editors: The volunteer coordinators can set you up with a volunteer to interview/follow if you are interested) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 9, 2005) - Each year, thousands of residents volunteer their time to Lee County programs and services, saving the county hundreds of thousands of dollars. They work in parks, libraries, help keep roads clean, helped during the recovery; some even travel to the Florida Welcome Centers at the state border to promote Southwest Florida as a tourism destination. In 2004, according to recently compiled statistics, the county recorded 4,958 volunteers, who donated 121,869 hours (equivalent of 58 full-time employees) of their time, and saved taxpayers $1.36 million. Here is a breakdown by major program: Library System - 494 volunteers, contributing 22,902 hours, at a cost savings of $222,561. Parks & Recreation - 675 volunteers, contributing 41,623 hours, cost savings of $451,482. Visitor & Convention Bureau - 118 volunteers, contributing 15,203 hours, cost savings of $257,318. Emergency Management - 420 volunteers, contributing 7,748 hours, cost savings $77,480 (plus 27,650 hours during hurricane recovery, cost savings of $276,500). Animal Services - 114 volunteers, contributing 1,700 hours, cost savings of $27,200. Adopt-A-Road - 3,137 volunteers, contributing 5,043 hours, cost savings of $48,112 (3,567 bags picked up along 136 miles of road by 157 groups). To volunteer, here's how you can reach the following volunteer coordinators: Library System - Terri Crawford, 461-2922, www.lee-county.com/library/progserv/vol.htm. Visitor & Convention Bureau - The Lee County VCB tourism ambassadors operate through the VCB Visitor Services department located at the S.W. Florida International Airport. They staff three domestic and one international Visitor Information Booths at the airport, assist the airport and Customs & Border Protection department with foreign language translation support, represent the VCB at the state of Florida Welcome Centers and select trade shows or conventions, work at special community events, and assist tourism partners where needed. Animal Services - Volunteers work in the animal shelter and help with programs and promotional events. Emergency Management - Primarily work during an activation of the Emergency Operations Center; also volunteer at expos and events, in the message center during an emergency activation, in hurricane shelters, in bulk distribution of emergency supplies, and communications. Library System - Shelving materials and keeping collections in good shape; assisting library users with the Internet and other electronic resources (Computer Coach); assisting with public computer training classes (Computer Coach); repairing damaged materials; assisting with clerical tasks; assisting at library programs and events; assisting with literacy projects; cleaning up library grounds; and assisting with system-wide library events. Parks & Recreation - Assist with a variety of programs and work with participants during summer program and after-school activities like arts and crafts projects, mentoring, help with home work, coaching, score keeping; Land stewardship assistance with developed sites like the butterfly garden, natures walks, exotic weed control, planting designs. Also assist with undeveloped sites like controlled burns, exotic plant removal, and general site improvements; Site maintenance assistance including site clean up and litter control, exotic plant and weed control; Assisting county staff at organized sporting events of site specific events with ticket takers, scorekeeper, survey takers, time keepers, etc.; Volunteering with groups that support Parks & Recreation programs and events: Friends of Boca, Friends of Six Mile, Friends of Lakes, CABB groups, adopt-a-park groups. Adopt-A-Road - Individuals/groups pick up litter six times or more per year by adopting at least a 1/2 mile or more of county roadway. |