The Valpo Parks Foundation welcomes the public to celebrate volunteerism and leaders giving back to their community with its tenth year of annual service recognition known as “Friends & Legends.” Friends & Legends will be held Thursday, May 3 at Old Fairgrounds Park’s Butterfield Family Pavilion. The reception celebrates all who have helped support the continuing legacy of high quality experiences provided by Valpo Parks.
Special recognition is given this year to Doug Pierce as a “Legendary Friend”, and to Dr. E. Ric and Mrs. Kaye Frataccia who will be recognized with the Park Foundation’s highest expression of thanks, the “Art and Irene Malasto Legends Award.” New this year, the Samardzija family will be honored with the inaugural Community Champion Award. Pierce, the Frataccias and the Samardzijas embody the spirit of this community and sustaining quality of for Valparaiso. Each one of them merits the awards in their advocacy and actions where parks, and Valpo as a whole, are concerned. The Valpo Parks Foundation is proud to recognize their partnership efforts as residents, business owners and statesmen of the community.
The business casual gathering is offered at no cost due to generous sponsors. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, with brief presentations at 5:15 PM. The courtesy of an RSVP is requested; please contact the Valpo Parks Foundation at 219-462-5144 or at hpierce@valpo.us.
