MARYSVILLE – National Day of Service and Remembrance opened with the sound of a Fire District bell and a bugler playing “Taps” memorializing those who lost their lives during the horrific 9/11 tragedy.

It ended with the sound of yard and garden tools, paint brushes and more than 260 busy volunteers who joined together at Jennings Nature Park to complete a single-day service project in the name of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

For their contributions, volunteers with the Marysville Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church, Marysville Rotary Club and Marysville Free Methodist Church were honored with the Mayor’s first-ever Volunteer of the Month Award at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Accepting the awards of appreciation were members from the three groups who led the effort: Ken and Carol Gubler with the LDS Church, President Gayl Spilman and Club Service Leader Lori Butner from the Marysville Noon Rotary Club, and Pastor Victor Rodriguez with the Marysville Free Methodist Church.

“This park renovation project means a lot to city government, the community, and to the families who enjoy coming to this jewel in our park system,” Mayor Jon Nehring told the group during a break on Sept. 11. “To see 9/11 memorialized in this way, with the shoe leather, elbow grease and coming out to do this hard work, is truly commendable.”

When Nehring asked for a show of hands of all the young people who volunteered for the service project, he was impressed by the high turnout.

“You not only gave up your Saturday only days after school started back in session, but you’re gaining the sense of satisfaction you’re getting giving back to the community,” he said.

All told, improvements accomplished by the volunteers included painting the restroom building, all 22 tables and park benches and sign posts, repainting bike racks, power-washing the play area perimeter, cleaning by hand the entire play structure that is one of the city’s largest, excavating all tables and bench pads and installing wood borders and gravel, installing new signs, flowers and shrubs throughout the park, and installing new signs, flowers and shrubs in three landscapes.

Nehring chose to launch the new awards program because he believes it is time to publicly recognize people and groups who are make a difference in Marysville.

“Marysville is filled with unsung heroes deserving of this award, who give their time humbly without expecting anything in return,” the Mayor said. “Without volunteers, city government would not be able to function as efficiently, and Marysville would not be half the community that it is.”

Nehring is encouraging citizens to become involved with the Volunteer of the Month program by bringing forward their own nominees.

“Help us celebrate the good works that these volunteers provide, and let us know who they are so that they can inspire others in our community to give back,” Nehring said.

The award will presented each month to a volunteer, or group of volunteers, who exhibit an outstanding commitment to community service. Volunteers from all areas of Marysville are eligible. The voluntary service demonstrated should be unpaid and not an employment responsibility.

Volunteer award recipients will be recognized at regular City Council meetings on either the 2nd or 4th Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall, 1049 State Ave.

While volunteer service provides many benefits to the community, it also helps to conserve taxpayer dollars, all the more helpful during the current difficult economic times.

Volunteers guided by Ken and Carol Gubler of the LDS church spent more than five hours contributing a collective 1,500 worker hours or value of $17,550 dollars in volunteer revenue to one of the city’s most prized park facilities, said Jim Ballew, Parks and Recreation Director.

Know someone in the community who deserves to be Volunteer of the Month?

Do you know someone whose service and dedication to the community makes them the perfect candidate for Volunteer of the Month?

The Mayor wants to hear from you.

Download the Volunteer of the Month Application Form from the City of Marysville website.

The Mayor’s Volunteer of the Month Award is a newly-created opportunity to recognize Marysville citizens for their volunteer contributions and commitment to community service. Volunteers from all areas of Marysville are eligible. The voluntary service demonstrated should be unpaid and not an employment responsibility. Volunteer service helps to conserve taxpayer dollars.

Eligible nominees should be committed to making Marysville a better community through voluntary personal service to citizens to meet community needs, whether through direct service, board service, administrative volunteering or a combination. Individuals – or groups – may be nominated by an individual, agency, corporation or organization. Nominees must be residents of Marysville.

Because this award program is ongoing, there is no deadline for submitting nominations.

Send your completed nomination form to Executive Asst. Lynn Schroeder in the Mayor’s Office, 1049 State Ave., Marysville, WA 98270 or fax to 360-651-5033.

Mayor Nehring will honor Volunteer award recipients at regular City Council meetings on either the 2nd or 4th Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall, 1049 State Ave.

The Volunteer of the Month is recognized through a variety of venues and presented with a framed certificate, city coffee mug and other items.