News Release: March 30, 2010 Contact: Elizabeth Witte, Communications Director (724-852-5210)
WAYNESBURG, PA – Jake Blaker, Greene County director of recreation, has received an excellence in programming award from the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, Inc. The award, in the category of “Special Events under 500 Participants,” recognizes the Department of Recreation’s 2009 Greene River Trail Heroes Run/Walk, which raised more than $10,000 in September for two memorial scholarship funds.
"These awards are very competitive," said Blaker, who has received a PRPS excellence in programming award four years in a row. “To be selected by your peers as being the best in the state brings great satisfaction."
Blaker accepted the award at a ceremony held March 23 during the 63rd annual PRPS State Conference at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pa. The award recognizes the department for its sponsorship of Heroes Run, which last year raised $10,521.04 for memorial scholarship funds established in the names of Army Spc. Gregory Cox of Carmichaels and Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips of Spraggs. Both men were killed in Humvee accidents in Iraq: Cox, 21, died in September 2004, and Phillips, 27, died in February 2006. More than 200 runners and walkers turned out for the third annual event.
The Spc. Gregory A. Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund will assist Greene County high school graduates entering the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or the fields of public safety or public service, and the Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips Memorial Fund will provide support for the computer-aided drafting program at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. Both funds are being handled by Community Foundation of Greene County.
"Recipients of these awards demonstrate outstanding quality, innovation and efficient use of resources," said Jeff Williams, chair of the PRPS Recognition and Awards Committee. “Each was selected by a 10-person committee by comparing the entry to others in the same category. Specific criteria established by the Society were used."
The PRPS is a nonprofit membership association with more than 1,800 members statewide. Headquartered in State College, Pa., the organization promotes healthy, high-quality recreation and park opportunities for all Pennsylvania citizens by offering education, training, technical assistance and other support to local, county, state and national recreation and park providers. For more information, visit www.prps.org.
Jake Blaker (left), director of recreation, accepts a Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, Inc., excellence in programming award from William Rosevear, PRPS president, at a ceremony held March 23 in Champion, Pa. The award recognizes the Department of Recreation’s 2009 Greene River Trail Heroes Run/Walk, which raised more than $10,000 in September for two memorial scholarship funds.]
Today's date is:
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
