On Thursday evening, Valpo Parks Foundation honored cornerstone members of the community at their Annual Friends and Legends celebration. Throughout the evening, Valpo Parks distributed three different awards to individuals that throughout their time in the community have tirelessly supported Valpo Parks and served as paragons of philanthropy and volunteerism.
Hosted at William E. Urschel Pavilion and sponsored by community supporters including Strack & Van Til and Indiana Beverage, the event is a favorite for the Valpo Parks team. It affords them a chance to recognize individuals who often shy away from the spotlight. The three awards distributed, the Art & Irene Malasto Legends Award, the Legendary Friend Award, and the Community Champion Award all reward slightly different criteria – but are united in the theme of recognizing servants to the Valparaiso community.
“This evening is a celebration of our community and what our culture and values are all about,” said John Seibert, Executive Director of Valpo Parks. “It’s about celebrating selflessness and people giving back. This is about more than the parks. These are people who never really talk about themselves, they talk about the city.”
Erin & Rick Urschel received the Art & Irene Malasto Legends Award. It commemorates their constant support of Valpo Parks, which is an Urschel family legacy. Valpo Parks Foundation President Jim Cunningham said that legacy, and the efforts of all the award recipients, encapsulates what Valparaiso is all about.
“That’s the beauty of Valparaiso, this commitment that they make is special,” Cunningham said. “There are so many organizations in this community that have financial needs, volunteer needs, and these people all step up to fill them out of love for the community and love for other people – you just can’t beat that.”
Jon Schmaltz received the Legendary Friend Award, in recognition of his years of service and counsel to Valpo Parks.
“If there’s one word for this event, the Valparaiso Parks organization, and our community, it’s gratitude,” Schmaltz said. “We’re all grateful for what we have: our facilities, the people who build and care for them, and the families who benefit from that and participate in that. It’s easy to take all of that for granted, but we shouldn’t, because without all of that our community would not be as rich as it is.”
Sandra DeTraz earned the Community Champion Award, in large part due to her efforts to see the ValPAWraiso Dog Park come to life.
“I really didn’t need an award, because every week I’m rewarded by riding my bicycle past the dog park and seeing the dogs running and playing with their owners resting under the shelters,” DeTraz said. “It’s been a privilege and an honor for my family and I to have been a contributor to this wonderful addition to the parks department of Valparaiso.”
To learn more about Valpo Parks, visit www.valpoparks.org.
