Albany Recreation and Parks staff, volunteers honored

ALBANY — Staff and volunteers with the Albany Recreation and Parks Department brought home regional and state awards recently for their work on behalf of the community during 2014.

Recreation and Parks staffer Marie Stamps was recognized for her long-term commitment to Special Olympics with the statewide Spirit of Special Olympics award; Special Events Coordinator Kristin Caso received the Distinguished Professional award in the programmers division; the Southwest Georgia Homeschool Association Key Club received the Outstanding Volunteer award in the cultural arts division, and the Recreation and Parks Department received the Training for Life award.

Morris Hicks, who serves as supervisor at Carver Gym in Albany, received the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Third Division (which encompasses all of Southwest Georgia) W.L. “Cut” Edwards Athletic award; Yvette Roberts-Hope received the Administrative Support award, and J.L. Litman was honored with the division’s Volunteer award.

“I’ve only been here a short time (as Recreation and Parks director), but it became clear very quickly that we have a dedicated staff here,” Joel Holmes said. “Our employees don’t do their jobs every day for the recognition, but being recognized on the state and district levels is validation for their hard work.

“When you see staff go the extra mile, go above and beyond what’s expected of them, it’s abundantly clear that we have some dedicated employees in our department.”

Stamps, who coordinates local participation in and training for summer, fall and winter Special Olympics Games, said the Recreation and Parks-sponsored program has come a long way since it had four participants and she had to “go out and find” athletes to take part in regional and statewide competitions.

“This all started for me when I was working with the Dougherty County School System and a friend encouraged me to come to the YMCA to help out with Special Olympics,” Stamps said. “I didn’t know what I could do, but they needed greeters and huggers — something we don’t do now — so I said sure.

“They were competing in aquatic events, and my heart went out to those athletes so much, I was there in a dress but I got soaking wet from hugging them as they came out of the pool. I was hooked.”

“It’s amazing to see the growth of our program,” Caso said. “When we started, it wasn’t like the city said, ‘Here, we have all this extra money to help you get things going.’ We had to rob Peter to pay Paul at first, but eventually we worked our Special Olympics programs into our budget.

“We’re fortunate that Special Olympics Georgia offers transportation grants that offset the cost of travel to competitions. We also receive funds from events like the law enforcement Torch Run.”

Local Special Olympians compete in basketball, softball, tennis, bocci, bowling, volleyball and golf.

Caso, meanwhile, was nominated for the Distinguished Professional award by her supervisor, Fran Stalter.

“It was humbling just to be nominated,” Caso said. “Fran noted in her nomination that I am involved in any number of events, from the Fourth of July fireworks, to Special Olympics to cultural arts programs. But I’ve always said variety is the spice of life.”

Caso said members of the Homeschool Association Key Club had been faithful volunteers for the past seven years.

“We asked them (to participate) once; that was all it took,” the special events coordinator said.

The state Recreation and Parks Training for Life award was granted to the Albany department for its efforts in increasing the number of participants in specific community activities, hosting invitational events, its fundraising efforts and its promotion of Special Olympics events.

Hicks received the prestigious W.L. “Cut” Edwards Athletic award for the variety of programs he’s offered to participants at Carver Gym. Hicks, who also coaches the local Special Olympics basketball team, oversees basketball, weightlifting and a variety of summer programs at the south Albany gymnasium.

Recreation and Parks receptionist Roberts-Hope was recognized for the impact she has on the day-to-day operations of the department, while volunteer Litman was honored for his work with recreation-sponsored senior programs in the community.