Student athletes and high school band members have "booster clubs." Libraries have "friends." Both enjoy organizations that supplement budgets.
Quail Hollow State Park has the Quail Hollow Volunteer Association. A "booster club" of sorts that enables the park to host family events, provide upkeep on the grounds and enhance programming.
"They are a friends group of the park," said John Bozic, Quail Hollow's park conservation coordinator. "They're vital to our operation. Without them we wouldn't have the programs we have."
The Quail Hollow Volunteer Association recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. They were the first volunteer organization for a state park. They set a trend for more than 6,000 volunteers at parks across the state.
"In 1983 they got non-profit status," said Bozic."Our volunteer organization won 20 awards from the Ohio Division of Parks. What they do is phenomenal."
"We're responsible for new parking areas, new shelters, new shutters, painting and refurbishing the library," said Shelly Quinn, the current president of the volunteer association.
The association operates the gift shoppe, maintain gardens, help with the care of animals, give tours, maintain the trails, staff the visitor's center and write grants for more projects.
"That's why we're here," said Quinn. "There's plenty to do. We have some volunteers we see only once or twice a year on special projects. Others we see more often. It just depends on the volunteer's interests."
To raise funds, the association's volunteers write grants and they conduct fundraisers, such as the upcoming bird seed sale.
"We have four main events each year," said Quinn.
Those events include the annual Christmas at the Hollow, the Easter Bunny Breakfast and a spring craft and herb fair in conjunction with the park's herb society. The fourth event, Hollow-een is set for Oct. 18.
"I think Hollow-een is my favorite event," said volunteer Paula Carter. "I enjoy working with the high school kids who set up the spooky basement. They're so much fun."
"I enjoy Christmas at the Hollow," said Quinn. "I'm a floral designer and I like decorating the Manor House."
These events are designed to bring families to the park.
But it was the first Christmas in the Hollow that grabbed Bozic's attention. "My first experience at Quail Hollow was Christmas in the Hollow. The volunteers had frigid temperatures and a lot of snow, but that didn't dampen their volunteer spirit. I thought they were fabulous and I wanted to be here to be a part of that."
"There's just so much to do at the park," said Quinn. "We have a camera club, the herb society, an art group and an astronomy group."
Quail Hollow is often called Hartville's best kept secret.
On Sept. 25, the volunteer association celebrated their 25th anniversary with a dinner in the Stewart Manor House. Four of the association's original members, Alice Rini, LeVera Moore, Miriam Moore and Virginia Gamble, were on hand for the event. Three of the ladies, Alice, LeVera and Virginia, had signed the organization's original articles of incorporation.
"I majored in biology," said Gamble. "I enjoy this park and talking to visitors. My interest is in this library. That's why I have stuck with this association for 25 years. I love it."
"They are extremely influential in keeping the park operational," said Bozic. "We're like one big family here and we do extraordinary things."
It only costs $5 per year to join the Quail Hollow Volunteer Association. Go online to www.quailhollow.org and first join the state's volunteer register.
The 700 acres of Quail Hollow State Park is located at 13480 Congress Lake Ave., north of Hartville. The telephone number is 330-877-6652.
