(Feb. 22, 2013) Carolee Humphreys was recognized for her years of service and named the 2012 OC Recreation Boosters Volunteer of the Year last Wednesday at Northside Park on 125th Street.
โCarolee is one of a kind. She is a quiet, soft spoken person who has a heart of gold,โ said Kate Gaddis, recreation superintendent for the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department. โWe are so fortunate to have her as a member of our Boosters organization for many reasons. Her smile brightens the room and although she is one little lady, she does the work of many.โ
Humphreys has been a member of the OC Recreation Boosters for about 10 years; sheโs currently serving as the organizationโs vice president.
The Ocean City resident has worked on every Booster-related event, said President Reba Felty, from selling hot chocolate to St. Patrickโs soccer tournament T-shirts. She has also volunteered her time during youth holiday parties and summer concerts at Sunset Park, and helped out in the wine and beer tents during the Springfest and Sunfest celebrations.
โShe puts in countless volunteer hours and is the kind of person who is always quietly helping out, never saying โno.โ Sheโs hardworking, devoted and her loyalty and love for others is unmatched,โ Felty said. โCarolee is 73 years young, but to know her spirit and hard work you wouldnโt think her a day over 37.โ
Humphreys first found out she was the recipient of the annual award during the Boostersโ appreciation party in late January.
She is a member of the Volunteer of the Year committee and found it unusual when the group was not discussing nominees. That was because they knew she would be the one receiving the award.
โThey kept it a secret from me,โ Humphreys said.
When Felty announced Humphreys was the 2012 Boosters Volunteer of the Year last month, she was shocked.
โI was just surprised and honored,โ Humphreys said. โI enjoy doing things for the kids and giving back to the community. Whatโs most important is that weโre able to raise funds for the programs here.โ
In addition to her work with the Recreation Boosters, Humphreys is a member of the Quota Club of Ocean City, the Montego Bay Association and was a past Ocean City Chamber ambassador.
Humphreys is the mother of three, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of three.
She was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award plaque last week and Ocean City Councilman Joe Mitrecic gave her a key to the city.
The OC Recreation Boosters, a nonprofit, independent group, has chosen a volunteer to receive the annual award for the past 14 years. The group works throughout the year to raise money to help offset the cost of recreation programs. The organization is always looking for additional volunteers.
During Wednesdayโs ceremony, Mitrecic also read a proclamation from Mayor Rick Meehan, who was unable to attend, stating that February is Sportsmanship month in Ocean City.
Sportsmanship was again emphasized during the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Departmentโs winter boysโ and girlsโ basketball and indoor soccer leagues. The departmentโs โSportsmanship Counts!โ campaign, now in its fourth year, focuses on five specific characteristics: respect, fairness, integrity, responsibility and perseverance.
Athletes chosen by their coaches and coordinators who exemplified good sportsmanship while participating in the basketball and indoor soccer leagues received certificates on Wednesday.
Sara Mitrecic, 13, a Stephen Decatur Middle School student, and coach Brian Shockley, were presented with the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Recreation and Parks Sports Alliance Good Sport Awards.
