By @Dane Wadlé, CSDA Public Affairs Field Coordinator
CSDA staff recently attended the Georgetown Divide Recreation District’s (GDRD) annual Volunteer Celebration event. This event recognizes the district’s community partners who assist in providing multiple recreation opportunities to residents in northern El Dorado County.
The community partners include a variety of organizations. For example, the People’s Mountain Market operates the farmer’s market at a GDRD park. Gold Country Girls Softball and Divide Little League manage the Divide’s youth softball and baseball leagues, respectively. The Divide Garden Club sponsors courses in horticulture, environmental education, and safe and efficient gardening. The Divide Chamber of Commerce assists with the community’s Halloween trick-or-treat event and regularly sponsors community events.
The annual event started in 2008 at the suggestion of then-General Manager Carl Clark. The event was originally established to celebrate the district’s 20th anniversary. District Staff Advisor Jacqui Brunton related that the event was so well-received, and had such a good turnout, that the district decided to continue it every year! The volunteer celebration went on hiatus in 2021 and 2022 in response to COVID and returned to the in-person format last year.
The 2024 edition recognized volunteers from seven community partners, including; the Garden Valley Community Association, the Gold Country Girls Softball, the Divide Chamber, the Divide Little League, Golden Sierra High School, the Divide Garden Club and the People’s Mountain Market. District General Manager Alana Jenkins was the master of ceremonies. Each honoree was publicly recognized for going above and beyond for the community.
Board Member Kim Taylor closed the event by stating, “One of the best things GDRD has done is to partner with community organizations to help advance recreation opportunities on the Divide. We are appreciative of our partners and the volunteers who give so much!”
Congratulations to the honorees and the Georgetown Divide Recreation District for continuing this annual event!