Page 9 - Spring 2013 magazine FINAL

Chelise Simmons accepted the
Sustaining Partner Award

for Eric Larsen, REI’s Las Ve-
gas Market Outreach Special-
ist. REI’s partnership with
Friends since 2005 has pro-
vided our organization with
much appreciated funding,
meeting space and workers for
By Sharon Schaaf
volunteer events.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area was the
big winner at the Friends of Red Canyon Annual Volun- Photo by Jim Sudduth
teer Appreciation Banquet. Our member volunteers, in
the past year, contributed over 21,000 of hours of their The Best Friend Award went to eleven-year Red

lives and talents for the benefit of the Rock. Rock Canyon BLM park ranger Laverne Dickey.
His career in the outdoors began in 1991 at Lake
At the February 10 banquet, we honored this year’s
Berryessa in California as a park ranger for the
winners of the Friends of Red Rock Canyon Special
Bureau of Reclamation. Laverne has also worked
Volunteer Awards. These awardees represent the true
for the Army Corps of Engineers at Pine Flat
spirit of volunteerism through their efforts in education, Lake in California and for the Marine Corps in

planning, monitoring, repairing, cleaning and taking Yuma, Arizona. He values the contributions of the
care of all that is Red Rock Canyon. Friends volunteers and Red Rock Canyon is lucky

Thank you to all the incredible volunteers. You have to have Laverne and his experience.
made a difference. Photo by Chelise Simmons

Red Spring Award Winners Marianne Slagle and Harry Weldon

Harry grew up in Yuba Outgoing president
County, California, fishing, Mark Beauchamp was
camping, hiking and hunting recognized for his ser-
with his father. He has also vice as president of

been a member of the Sierra Friends for two years.
Club since l961 and joined Mark also extensively
the National Ski Patrol in involved in trail mainte- Photo by Chelise Simmons
1962. A Las Vegan since nance and restoration, graffiti removal and con-
l986, Harry is still active in struction projects. Mark’s hiking, biking, picnick-
Photo by Jim Sudduth ing and climbing activities in Red Rock Canyon
the Ski Patrol in Lee Can-
yon. His work on the Information Desk has introduced have taught him to appreciate our public lands and
him to people from around the world. he is glad to give back with his volunteering.
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