Columbus, Ohio USA
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Friends of Goodale Park
Premier Gala Awards
By Margaret Marten
January/February 2017 Issue

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The Friends of Goodale Park honored Brenda Hosey with their first Volunteer of the Year award. FGP President Jason Kentner presents Brenda with a photograph of the Lincoln Goodale monument taken by Eric Anderson. Photo | Gus Brunsman III

The Friends of Goodale Park presented three awards at their annual gala in December, for the first time in its history, kicking off the volunteer organization’s 30th anniversary this year.

“We felt it important to thank those who have stepped up to make Goodale Park what Lincoln Goodale intended when he deeded the land to the City of Columbus,” said Rick Harrison, events committee chair.

The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Brenda Hosey. The award is given to an individual for “above and beyond volunteerism on behalf of the FGP.” Hosey said that until her retirement a couple of years ago, she had not had time to do anything for the community.

“I’ve lived in the neighborhood since 1985,” she said, “and I’ve lived near the park for about 20 years.” She and her dog, Tessa, a Miniature Australian Shepherd, have spent plenty of time in the park over the years enjoying the fruits of FGP’s labors. Once she retired, it was Hosey’s turn to give back. She began by attending the Saturday morning work days, planting and weeding, later volunteering with the FGP events committee.

“She helps out any way she can. It’s really neat,” said Maddy Weisz, vice president of FGP. “She volunteers all the time. She just wants to be there to help out.”

“Brenda is one of those volunteers who is willing to do whatever needs done in the park,” added Harrison. “Brenda has helped to make our monthly work days, Walks and Talks series, festival and music series involvement, and the annual gala so successful.”

Bruce Dooley, who founded Dooley and Company Realtors in 1986, a year before the FGP established, became a staunch supporter of the Friends when they began. Now, 30 years later, Dooley and Chris Zuelke - the Dooley and Company Team at Keller Williams Classic Properties – continue that support. The Dooley Company received the FGP Outstanding Corporate Partner award, given to a business partner who “consistently answers the call when the FGP are in need of assistance.”

ComFest was recognized as the Outstanding Community Partner, given to community organizations who actively give back to Goodale Park (fiscal and/or volunteering). “The Friends of Goodale Park, a volunteer organization itself, could not succeed in helping to beautify and restore historical features in the park without the support we receive from our incredible individual volunteers, corporate partners, and other community organizations,” stated Harrison.

Since 1987, the Friends of Goodale Park (FGP), a volunteer group organized as a 501(C)3 non-profit entity, has worked diligently to preserve, maintain and enhance Goodale Park. Email volunteercoordinator@goodalepark.org to join in as a volunteer, or visit www.friendsofgoodalepark.org to make a contribution.

PHOTOS OF THE DECEMBER 2016 GALA: Page 9 and Page 10

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