Volunteer Spotlights

Position/Department: Park Ranger, Eagle Lake Park, Parks & Conservation Resources

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 5 years and counting

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? My wife and I began walking in Eagle Lake Park during the 2020 COVID times. We would purchase our breakfast orders “to-go” and take them to Shelter #3 at the park. We saw others walking and joined them after finishing our breakfast. While walking, I observed numerous wild thistle plants growing out of control. I inquired of one of the rangers why they were not being controlled. After learning of the shortage of rangers and mowing crews, I signed up as a volunteer in April 2021 to remove and control the many invasive thistles, and the rest is history. I have completed over 1,000 hours as of the beginning of 2026, and I enjoy adding to that number each and every time I put on my volunteer t-shirt.

What motivates you to give back to the community? I enjoy my hours attacking the thistle population at Eagle Lake Park. I think I have reduced the numbers and continue my attack. I have spent many hours clearing the fences each fall and enjoy driving by the park seeing clean fences. My volunteer time provides me a feeling of accomplishment every time I go to Eagle Lake Park.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? My volunteer time gives me a sense of accomplishment as I clear Eagle Lake Park of some invasive weeds that could quickly spread if not removed.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: I have not had a specific moment that comes to mind, but I do have many pleasant encounters with park patrons as we stop to visit and exchange conversations.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? There are many opportunities to volunteer at a Pinellas County park that will meet your desire and can be matched to your schedule.

What do you do in your free time? I enjoy reading military history, with a focus on WWII and Vietnam. My wife and I enjoy our RV trips.

Position/Department: Dog Adoptions/Walker, Animal Services

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 7+ years

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? I rode by Animal Services on the way to work and told myself when I retire, I am going to volunteer there. And I did!

What motivates you to give back to the community? When you retire, you tend to lose your sense of purpose. Volunteering gives you a new sense of purpose.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? Working with so many great dogs and seeing them go home with wonderful people. I have many memorable adoption stories, and many adopters have stayed in touch with me and sent pictures of their dogs.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: Seeing wonderful adoptions happen and fostering kittens and mom cats with kittens. It is amazing to watch a mother cat take care of her kittens. It is such a miracle. Everyone should foster kittens once in their life.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? I only know about volunteering at Animal Services. Volunteering there is everything that is good for humans — interacting with animals, being outdoors, exercise, socializing with people, and a sense of purpose.

Position/Department: Historical Docent, Fort De Soto, Parks & Conservation Resources

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 18 years

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? Taking a college class on Parks and Leisure Research and historical interest.

What motivates you to give back to the community? I enjoy talking to people, and I know most people are interested in the history of the places they visit.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? Well — can you think of a more enjoyable place to volunteer than Fort De Soto?

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: I’ve had many over the past 18 years, but the jewels are the group tours, schools, scouts, church groups, and others. That is because of the interaction with the members of the groups.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? It has to be something you enjoy and have a passion about. For myself, it’s history.

What do you do in your free time? I am always increasing my knowledge on the subjects I care about, be it the Spanish exploration of Florida, the native Indian tribes of Florida, the forts of Florida, or the Spanish-American War. These are some of subjects I give presentations on, among others.

Position/Department: Dog Adoptions/Mentor, Animal Services

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 8 years

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? I was recruited by a friend who previously volunteered.

What motivates you to give back to the community? Honestly, the dogs! They deserve all my best to give them a second chance for forever. Also talking and advocating about the shelter and all the amazing things we are doing here.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? The dogs, along with the staff and volunteers! I love all the enrichment programs we are doing to help bridge the dogs to their forever homes.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: Oh wow, so many! Every successful adoption gives me the motivation to keep going. The best is when I walk through the adoptions area, and they are snoozing after all the love and exercise.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? Just do it! It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you have a passion for the “underdog” and want to make a difference, this is the place. It’s grueling but wonderful and joyous; sad and exhausting, but fun. If you want to do something that is truly selfless — volunteer!

Position/Department: General Projects, Heritage Village (Log Cabin, Train Depot, Smith Store, Garden), Parks & Conservation Resources

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 4 years

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? My wife and I were at the annual Heritage Village classic car show and walked over to the Heritage Garden. We talked with a volunteer, and she mentioned they always need more volunteers to help out. A couple of years later, I retired and started volunteering.

What motivates you to give back to the community? I enjoy supporting the mission to protect Pinellas County history and educate the public in a real-world hands-on environment.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? I love the peaceful feeling I get walking around the park and the smell of old wood and history inside the buildings.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: It’s a lot of small things. Working on the garden on a perfect spring morning, seeing the sunshine through the trees, sweeping the floors of the log cabin, and feeling like I’m living in the past and connecting with my ancestors. The park also reminds me of my father who passed away 20 years ago. He would have loved the park — the HC Smith store and garage full of antique cars would have reminded him of his childhood.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? Do it! It’s very enjoyable and rewarding. If they’re not interested in Heritage Village, there are a lot of other opportunities throughout Pinellas County. I think it’s important in life to be part of something bigger than our own day-to-day lives, and volunteering with the County allows that.

Position/Department: Volunteer in Disaster, Pinellas County Emergency Management

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? Since 2018.

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? I got involved with the County after meeting an Emergency Management employee at a hurricane expo when I started my journey into my bachelor’s degree in emergency management through St. Petersburg College.

What motivates you to give back to the community? The community has always been a big part of my life since I was in middle school when I would do community service during my time as a member of Boy Scouts of America.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? My favorite thing is the fact that I can use the skills I have gained through my schooling to help others prepare and recover from the effects of disasters.

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: When I was able to help with the hurricane activations and I got to see all the effort that goes into an activation. For Helene and Milton, I worked in the Emergency Operations Center as a Volunteer in Disaster, supporting logistics for over 100 hours.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? If you love supporting the community in any capacity, get involved with Pinellas County because there are numerous events and ways that one can get involved.

Position/Department: Front Desk Docent and Hike Guide, Brooker Creek Preserve, Parks & Conservation Resources

How long have you been a volunteer with Pinellas County? 15 years.

How did you get started volunteering with Pinellas County? I came to a guided hike at Brooker Creek and then wanted to volunteer and get involved immediately after my visit.

What motivates you to give back to the community? You always get more than you give.

What is your favorite part about volunteering with Pinellas County? Reminding people about what’s really important, what a gift it is to have “Our Wildest Place”, and what some of our tax money gets used for.  

Most memorable moment while volunteering with Pinellas County: Working with children every single week and seeing them engage and learn about our local environment.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with Pinellas County? Volunteer at a place that touches you and is important to you; people will know it’s authentic.