What an Honor

by: Nancy Heltman

While I try to inject my personality into my blogs, I don't usually brag about my accomplishments. However, last night at the Virginia Association for Parks dinner I received an honor that left me speechless.

I have spoken about the Virginia Association for Parks and our friends and volunteers around the state, both as members of individual Friends groups and not, that support our Virginia State Parks by donating their time, talents and hard work. Last year the VAFP developed a new award called the Hero Award. They named the award because my boss, State Parks Director Joe Elton, often talks about this person or that person as his "hero" -- people who have dedicated themselves to supporting public lands, outdoor recreation and conservation. Last year it was fitting that they bestowed this award on Joe.

So last night, VAFP President Johnny Finch started talking about this award and all the sudden he was saying my name. These folks who I believe to be the heroes - who work tirelessly with no compensation - were honoring me as their hero for my efforts in putting Virginia State Parks on the social media map. Thinking about it is making me tear up as I write this. It is always wonderful to be appreciated, but the extraordinary specialness of this award was to have it come from folks who are my heroes. And, as much as I was honored to be nominated for a Shorty Award even had I won that award, it would not have meant anywhere near as much as this one.

If you support public land, outdoor recreation and/or conservation you can be a hero by becoming a member of the Virginia Association for Parks. There is a free membership as well as various levels. Your membership shows your support for Virginia's state and national parks and gives the VAFP the ammunition they need to show decision makers that people care about these special places.