Parks honored with United Way’s Volunteer of the Year Award

PALMER — Although National Volunteer Week isn’t until April 21 to 27, United Way of Mat-Su started early by honoring its Volunteer of the Year, Mari Jo Parks, at the Palmer Chamber of Commerce meeting March 27.

Most people know Parks as the CEO (Chief Elf Organizer) of Special Santa, which she started in 1997. Mat-Su Special Santa brings winter wear, books, toys and more to children in need. She coordinates many agencies to ensure that all children in the Valley have Christmas. Last year, 3,000 children were served and more than 20,000 have been helped since 1997.

However, this is only one thing out of a lifetime of volunteer work. She is a perfect example of what the Dorothy A. Jones Volunteer of the Year Award was intended to honor. To be eligible a person must be a Mat-Su Borough resident and have served in the health and human service nonprofit area. They are judged according to the length and breadth of their service.

Parks’ service includes helping students develop business and financial skills, helping families gain access to financial aid for post-secondary education and being a statewide coordinator for University of Alaska Anchorage’s AK Construction Career Days. All of these have contributed to better jobs, enhanced careers and smarter handling of finances. She is an advocate for homeless and at-risk youth and for those with special needs. She served on the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education and on many other boards, including United Way of Mat-Su, Kids Are People, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Alaska State Fair.

In 2002, Parks started a safe, warm place to trick or treat, Halloween Hollow. In 2010, she organized and ran the Mid-Summer Garden and Art Faire and is the photographer for the Cabbage Fairies. Parks was the recipient of the 2007 City of Palmer Citizen of the Year Award and the 2010 Alaska First Lady’s Lifetime Achievement Award. United Way of Mat-Su was very happy to add to her recognition.

Other distinguished nominees were: Kris Abshire, for her creation of Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge; Gayle Asche, for her volunteer handling of the government food program at the Wasilla Food Pantry; Tammy Bruce, for her work with Mat-Su Borough School District, MTA Board, March of Dimes, Rotary and her church; and Katherine Fueller, for her volunteer work at Mat-Su Senior Services, TOPS, her church and with Family Promise.

Additional prominent nominees included: Beth Kincaid, for a lifetime of volunteering, starting with Big Brother Big Sisters and continuing with children’s school activities, multiple booster clubs, Mentor Mom for MOPS and Heartreach Pregnancy Center; Kibe Lucas, for his work with The Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center; Ed Strabel, for his years of contributions to Mat-Su Valley ski and hiking trails and multiple recreation areas.