Friend of Lake Cumberland Patrick Emerson is region’s top volunteer
December 1, 2012 by clackey
- Patrick Emerson (far left) posed with fellow volunteers at the Pumpkin Creek launch ramp during a past Friends of Lake Cumberland Cleanup. Photo submitted by Debbie Schumann.
In honor of his dedication to the annual Friends of Lake Cumberland Cleanup, Russell County’s Patrick Emerson was named southern and eastern Kentucky’s PRIDE Volunteer of the Month for December 2012.
Since 2007, Emerson has volunteered at the Pumpkin Creek launch ramp of the Lake Cumberland State Resort Park to unload pontoons filled with the trash collected from the shoreline by other volunteers.
“Patrick has been a vital member of the volunteer team that runs the cleanup on the west end of the lake,” said PRIDE’s Mark Davis, who surprised Emerson with the award at the Russell County Tourism Office on Nov. 27, 2012.
“Year after year, the Friends of Lake Cumberland organize the region’s largest cleanup event, thanks to dedicated volunteers like Patrick,” Davis added. “It says a lot about Patrick that the cleanup organizers selected him for special recognition by nominating him for this award.”
“We are truly grateful for the commitment that Mr. Emerson has shown to keep Lake Cumberland beautiful for future generations,” said Aurora Scott, Park Ranger, U.S Army Corps of Engineers Lake Cumberland — which is one of the sponsors of the annual Friends of Lake Cumberland Cleanup.
“This year, the cleanup netted 1,862 bags of trash and 447 old tires, and he helped contribute to that,” Scott said.
“Patrick is a dedicated, tireless worker with tons of enthusiasm and energy who doesn’t hesitate to jump in the thick of things,” said Debbie Schumann, West End Volunteer Coordinator for the Friends of Lake Cumberland. “He’s the first one there at the water’s edge to catch the boat and start unloading the trash, and he doesn’t mind getting dirty or wet!”
The PRIDE Volunteer of the Month program recognizes hard work and dedication to the PRIDE initiative, which promotes environmental education and cleanup efforts in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. With corporate sponsorship from TECO Coal, WYMT-TV airs commercials about each PRIDE Volunteer of the Month.
“Volunteers are the backbone of PRIDE,” said Congressman Hal Rogers, who co-founded PRIDE. “We wouldn’t be where we are without our volunteers. More than 380,000 volunteers have helped with PRIDE cleanup and education projects. We want to thank TECO Coal for helping PRIDE give these generous people the recognition they deserve.”
“Please tell us about PRIDE volunteers who impressed you, so we can thank them,” Davis said. “Please call us, toll free, at 888-577-4339, or please go online to submit a nomination for the PRIDE Volunteer of the Month Award.”
TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION FORM, PLEASE CLICK HERE
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