November 15, 2005

OHIO HONORS BOATING EDUCATORS AND VOLUNTEERS

COLUMBUS, OH - Eight local boating education organizations and 12 individual Ohioans were recognized recently by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft for their achievements this year in promoting boating safety education.

Lake County Metro Parks received the 2005 Outstanding Boating Program Achievement Award in recognition of its boating safety education program.

Prominent Achievement in Boating Safety Awards went to the Cleveland-based Spirit of America Foundation, Cleveland Metro Parks, City of Mentor, Rocky River Power Squadron, Mineral City Elementary School, Toledo Power Squadron, and Miami Conservancy District.

Twelve Ohioans received special awards for volunteer service to the ODNR Division of Watercraft and its statewide boating programs. They included:

• ODNR employee Warren Shupp (center in photo above) of Springfield, who was honored for providing 6,750 hours of volunteer service dating from 1983 when the division’s volunteer program began.
• William Green, also of Springfield, received a 2,000-Hour Volunteer Award.
• Cecilia Duer of Mentor-on-the-Lake, who serves as executive director of the National Water Safety Congress and the Spirit of America Foundation, was honored with a 750-Hour Volunteer Award.
• Mike Schabeck of Toledo received the 500-Hour Volunteer Award.
• Columbus residents Bob Burns and Marva McCall each received the 250-Hour Volunteer Award.

Recipients of the 100-Hour Volunteer Award included: Rick Brees of Hamilton, George Christ of Bay Village, Nancy Fuller of Medina, Elaine and Robert Mravetz of Sharon Center, and Jane Stites of Sunbury. McCall and Stites also are ODNR Division of Watercraft employees.

The awards were presented during a statewide boating conference held November 2-4 at Salt Fork State Park Lodge and Conference Center in Guernsey County.

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For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com

For Further Information Contact:
Rob Lucas, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6435
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft
(614) 265-6695
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860