MEDIA RELEASE:
May 24, 2012
Columbus, Georgia Parks & Recreation Department Receives
Two National Awards
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has selected two Columbus Parks and
Recreation programs for Achievement Awards. The NACo?s annual Achievement
Awards recognize innovative county government programs. The awards are given
in 21 different categories, including Children and Youth, Information
Technology, Community/Economic Development, Transportation, and Parks and
Recreation. The applications are judged on intergovernmental cooperation,
increasing citizen participation and awareness, improved cost effectiveness of
county programs, improved public policy making and other such criteria.
The following Columbus, Georgia programs were awarded a 2012 NACo Achievement
Award for innovative programs:
Program Coordinator:
Holli Browder, Recreation Division Manager & Lisa Castile, Cultural Arts
Supervisor
Innovative Program:
Empty Bowl
The Empty Bowl program is an international grassroots effort adopted and
implemented in Columbus, Georgia by the Parks and Recreation Department to
fight hunger. Craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to
create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and
bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a
reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to an
organization working to end hunger and food insecurity.
Program Coordinators:
Shelley Stephens & Millie Del Toro, Community Schools District Supervisors
Innovative Program:
The Princess Within
The Princess Within program is a summer camp that focuses on empowering and
motivating girls by creating activities and workshops that counteract the many
issues young ladies face like depression, weight, self-esteem, bullying and
peer pressure. The program also focuses on cultivating leadership skills
necessary to develop responsible future leaders.
Columbus Parks and Recreation Director Dr. James Worsley said: ?This is quite
an honor. Our department has come a long way in a short period of time. It is
wonderful to see our hardworking employees and community getting this type of
national recognition.?
For More Information:
James Worsley 706-225-4651
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