North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Honors its Top Volunteers Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Honors its Top Volunteers

By Robin Nalepa

Kure Beach, NC - The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher rolled out the red carpet recently for a special group of individuals. Aquarium volunteers were treated to an Oscars-style evening honoring all their hard work and dedication at the annual Volunteer Appreciation and Awards dinner on January 26th.

The celebration featured ten awards for outstanding volunteers in various departments. Dave Dickson, of Wilmington, won the top honor of Volunteer of the Year.

Dickson contributed 180 volunteer hours to the Aquarium in 2011. He works primarily in the aquariology department doing anything that is needed from cleaning filters to feeding fish. He comes in early, stays late and has even generously given his time on holidays. Dickson began volunteering at the Aquarium in 2001 after retiring from a 35-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, where he was involved in animal health. Through the years, he has volunteered with community outreach, special events and even helped move the occasional alligator, devoting more than 1,900 total hours to the Aquarium.

“I love this place,” said Dickson, speaking of the Aquarium. “It keeps me busy and I enjoy the people and work.”

In 2011, 450 volunteers donated their time and talents to the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, contributing more than 27,500 hours. Additional winners include these 2011 Departmental Volunteer of the Year recipients:

Aquariology Volunteer of the Year Echo Woodsford

Design Volunteer of the Year Derric Lee

Dive Volunteer of the Year Cheryle Syracuse

Education Volunteer of the Year Linda Davenport

Horticulture Volunteer of the Year Ray Wierschem

Junior Volunteer of the Year Cinnamon Lieberg-Strayer

Outreach Volunteer of the Year Sharon Sandberg

Special Events Volunteer of the Year Dan Bennett

Volunteer with the Most Hours Echo Woodsford (751 hours)

“All our volunteers are winners,” said Volunteer Coordinator Suzanne Holtzclaw. “Their contributions are seen in every aspect of our facility from the smallest details of animal care to the overall experiences of our visitors. The work may not always be glamorous, but it is invaluable.”

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington, on U.S. 421. The site is less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $8 ages 13-61; $7 seniors; $6 ages 3-12. Free admission for: children 2 and younger, registered groups of N.C. school children, and N.C. Aquarium Society members. General information: http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher