Last year, volunteers planted trees, cleaned up the Greenbelt, taught teens to dance, patrolled Warm Springs Golf Course, helped kids with disabilities and performed hundreds of other tasks for the Boise Parks & Recreation Department. In fiscal year 2004, volunteers dedicated 29,945 hours valued at $454,000.

"The work performed by volunteers cannot be measured by mere numbers," says volunteer coordinator Jerry Pugh. "Their contributions go well beyond hours contributed and dollars saved. What they do for the community is invaluable."

Last year, volunteers worked with the department to:

• Clean up trash at Boise Riversweep
• Assist kids at the Idaho Wheelchair Sports Camp
• Prune trees in the Tree Steward program
• Care for animals at Zoo Boise
• Launch a citizen advisory committee for Idaho IceWorld
• Maintain trails in the Foothills

Volunteers also participated in the Hershey Track Meet, Tending Our Foothills and Releaf Boise. They served on boards and commissions, worked on Eagle Scout projects, participated in church group activities and helped at Idaho IceWorld.

The total was a 9 percent increase from FY 2002 but a decrease of about 4,000 hours from 2003. Volunteer coordinator Jerry Pugh attributes the decline to a dip in hours accumulated by participants in court-mandated programs.

For a copy of the 2004 Volunteer Services report, see the "Volunteer" link at www.cityofboise.org/parks.

To become a volunteer, please call 384-4240 or send an email to Jerry Pugh, Volunteer/Partnerships Coordinator at jpugh@cityofboise.org.