The Volunteers: The county Department of Recreation and Parks on Friday presented the Ron Blake Outstanding Volunteer Award to Nick Brescia, Joe Cunningham, Bill Gillingham, all of Pasadena, Russell Frobish of Laurel, and Robert Thomas of Annapolis.
The award was established by the Recreation Advisory Board in memory of Ron Blake, an active volunteer in community and civic organizations in West County.
Mr. Brescia, a volunteer at Downs Park for a dozen years, is a founding member of the Friends of Downs Park and assists with special events at the park.
Rick Holt, superintendent of Downs Park, writes that Mr. Brescia is a "key player in the growth of the Friends Group and never too busy to help with any project . . . [doing] anything that needs to be done, contributing thousands of volunteer hours, not only at the park, but with youth groups throughout the county."
Mr. Frobish, the Maryland District 4 Assistant District Administrator for Little League Baseball and Senior League Softball, has been a volunteer for more than 12 years in community youth baseball and softball.
In nominating Mr. Frobish, Richard Powell of the Maryland City Little League writes that he is "truly a dedicated individual with the welfare of our youth always in mind."
Mr. Cunningham is also involved with youth sports, with emphasis on girls fast pitch softball and instructing "windmill pitching."
Dennis Brenner and Brent Lounge, of the Riviera Girls Softball organization, write that "his personality and positive encouragement and his ability to interact with youth of all ages, permits him to be the kind of role model youth of today need."
Mr. Gillingham helps train umpires and managers each season in addition to coaching, managing and umpiring in the Havenwood Little League for more than 20 years.
From 1984 to 1986, he was vice president of the Northeast High School Sports Boosters and is chairman of the Sons of the American Legion Post 40.
Charles Hoffman of the Havenwood Little League writes that Mr. Gillingham is "always there to help when he is needed."
Mr. Thomas, president of the Friends of Quiet Waters Park, has contributed more than 2,000 hours of volunteer service at the park in four years, helping to increase the group's membership and raising money to support the park.
"As president of the Friends Group, he has many accomplishments in fund raising, volunteer recruitment, public relations, organization of meetings, etc.," writes Michael Murdoch, the superintendent of Quiet Waters Park.
"Volunteer Spotlight" is compiled by Kevin Harrison. To recommend someone, call the Anne Arundel Bureau, 315-8911, any time or fax information to 315-8916 or mail it to: The Sun for Anne Arundel, 8131 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena 21122.