FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer
organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the
Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure.
FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education.
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State
of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose current
principal business address for identification purposes is P.O.
Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018.
FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.
A National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway approved
partner organization dedicated to preserve, promote
and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure,
for future generations.
Greg retired from the Los Angeles Police Department in October 2008. Soon after, he and his wife relocated to Bedford, VA. He expressed an interest in volunteering for the Parkway right away and began doing so in the spring of 2009. From May to July alone, he volunteered almost 100 hours! He has distributed Parkway directories to visitors, been responsible for the Kids Fishing Program, worked at the Nature Center and Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, assisted Rangers in all areas of two Junior Ranger camps and even played Smokey the Bear a time or two. Randy Sutton, Ridge District Interpretive Ranger, says "If I could have only one volunteer to help at the Peaks, there is no question that it would be Greg."
Plateau District - J.C. & Linda Barton and Nicholas
The Bartons, along with their grandson, Nicholas, logged close to 1,400 volunteer hours in 2009. Their duties included maintenance tasks, litter pick up, landscaping, cleaning road signs of graffiti, minor plumbing repair, monthly fire extinguisher checks, opening and closing snow gates and hauling recyclables. In addition, J.C. was responsible for locating and clearing a tire dump consisting of close to 100 tires that had been dumped on Parkway land. He also located an abandoned well that was open and posed a safety hazard. According to Mindy DeCesar, Plateau District Interpretive Ranger, "the value of service these individuals performed is practically immeasurable. During the winter months there were only two permanent maintenance personnel present in the Vinton sub-district, so without these volunteers there would have been several things that would have had to been let go."
Highland District - Judy & Buddy Lovett
This couple volunteers their time at the Moses Cone Visitor Center. They enjoy attending interpretive programs and share their interest and passion for the Parkway with visitors. Tina White, Highlands District Interpretive Ranger, describes them as "kind, dependable and outgoing." She goes on to say, "their time volunteered at the Visitor Center is beneficial to the Blue Ridge Parkway in so many ways."
Pisgah District - Frances Ogasawara
Frances has volunteered in the Pisgah District for the past fifteen years, routinely working one day per week. She volunteers in the District office. Her duties include maintaining office files, completing a variety of reports and forms, tracking hours for over 100 volunteers and maintaining District bulletin boards. Michele Maertens, Pisgah District Interpretive Ranger, says Frances is a "quick learner and requires no supervision." She also says that her "attitude is positive and infectious." She concludes by saying "Frances is a remarkable woman with a zest for life."
