The Carmine Carro Community Center, at 3000 Fillmore Avenue, was awash in green and purple t-shirts as the Marine Park Alliance (MPA) held its fifth annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, November 8th, for its teen leaders, who wear green, and frequent volunteers, who wear purple.
The event included a hot lunch, desserts, group photos and awards for those who donated the most hours of their time this year.
“Marine Park thrives because of our volunteers’ dedication,” MPA Volunteer Coordinator Carri Knorr said. “You show up in every kind of weather, jump into whatever is needed and do it all with heart. Our community feels the impact of your work every day.”
MPA volunteers help pick up litter, weed the gardens, upkeep exercise equipment, paint benches and fences, plant flowers and more. They also assist in setting up and breaking down for the nonprofit’s community events.
The teen leaders are high-schoolers who both volunteer themselves and oversee other volunteers. Knorr works closely with the group to manage their activities and spoke emotionally about their contributions and personal growth.
Since January, nearly 850 individuals have volunteered with the organization, totaling more than 3,600 service hours.
“To you, the volunteers, who do such magnificent work on the ground, the work that you do is really a selfless act,” Assemblywoman Jaime Williams said. “It’s doing God’s work.”
Volunteer Kristy Di Cario, who once was a caretaker for the nearby historic Hendrick Lott House, was given the brand-new “Heart of Marine Park Award” for all her contributions. Next, Williams presented 10 Assembly citations to a group of dedicated volunteers and teen leaders.
MPA Founder and Chair Maria Carro-D’Alessandro presented the awards for those who volunteered the most hours since January, split between the adults and the teens. Three adults were commended for their service: Eddie Krumm with 68 hours, Leslie Glauberman with 85 hours and Michael Feller with 113 hours; Sharon Mei was given the “Spirit Award.”
Knorr presented seven teen awards: Vienna Huang, Matthew Krumm and Bethnie Lin tied with 56 hours each; MD Chowdhury with 78 hours; Anna Huang with 106 hours; Ethan Huang with 107 hours; and Erin Liu with 109 hours, who tearfully accepted.
All attendees enjoyed a lunch of pasta, salad, chicken and eggplant parmesan, chicken with broccoli, rice and mashed potatoes, followed with a dessert of cookies, cupcakes and candy. Random attendees won MPA-branded water bottles. The event wrapped up with group photos outside the Carro Center.
MPA Executive Director Scott Middleton was not present at the event due to parental leave.
Editor’s Note: The author of this article, Amanda Salazar, is a Marine Park Alliance volunteer and was invited to the event as a guest and reporter.
