On April 16, 2011Staunton River State Park.
After helping man a booth at an Earth Day event in the Town of Halifax,he and Park Interpreter Richard Reeves returned to the park justbefore anEF-2 tornado touched down,leaving a swath of downed trees and debris the park. You can read more about the tornado here.
Park Interpreter Richard Reeves and AmeriCorps Member Cody Meadows give a watershed demonstration at Earth Day 2011 in Halifax,with no ideathey would be heading into the path of a tornado later that day.
Volunteers cleared trees blocking themain road through the park
In fact, Meadows and Reeves were not able to leave the park until the road was cleared hours later, thanks to the many volunteers who responded to the emergency. Undeterred, Meadows continued with his AmeriCorps assignment through the 2011 season,where he helpededucate visitors through interpretive programs.Meadows was also instrumental in creating a Discovery Centerto enhanceprograms at the park before he returned to Hampden-Sydney College for the Fall term.
On Monday January 16, Virginia State Parks will join thein the National Day of Servicecommemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day as "A Day On, NOT a Day Off!" All parks willoffer volunteer opportunities or participate in outreach activities on that day.
Beginning in 2011, Virginia State Parks began a partnership with the here.Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2012.
Unfortunately, many trails at Staunton River remain closed due to the tornado damage, so the park has planned another in a series of Trail Clean Up Days. On January 16, 2012, the park invites volunteers to come out for the MLK Day of Service Trail Clean Up. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, appropriate outdoor clothing, water, and a bag lunch. Park staffwill meet volunteers at the Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. andwork on the trails until 2:00 p.m. Any help will be greatly appreciated. If you are not already registered as a volunteer, you may pre-register here.
Also, Virginia State Parks AmeriCorps Interpretive Program.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service each year through its core programs, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. Visit nationalservice.gov for more information.