Denise Elmer was honored as the Volunteer of the Year at Homestead National Monument of America during Sunday’s annual volunteer recognition event.

“Volunteers are an integral part of the operation at Homestead National Monument of America,” said Susan Cook, park ranger and volunteer coordinator at Homestead. “Because of the number of programs the monument offers, many of them would not have been  possible without the assistance of volunteers.”

“We are very fortunate and honored to have these tremendous volunteers involved in the monument. Over the past year, nearly 500 people have volunteered over 14,000 hours of service,” said Superintendent Mark Engler.

The volunteer of the year award is given to a person who has made an impact to Homestead National Monument of America in several divisions.

Elmer has been behind the scenes doing special projects for many years, Engler said.

She can be seen during special events such as being a guide during Howling Homestead; parking cars during Homestead Days and Monumental Fiddling Championship; representing the National Park Service at the Nebraska State Fair; and native plant seeds during the volunteer work days.

One of the largest impacts she has made is in the promotion of the park with Southeast Community College students, Cook said.

Elmer incorporates Homestead National Monument of America in her lesson plans, encouraging students to study the park’s themes and provide products that can be used for the Friends of Homestead Web site and blog.

Homestead National Monument of America honored all of its volunteers at a special reception. Several special awards were presented. Stadium chairs were presented to volunteers who provided 100 hours of service from Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 31, 2009. Recipients included Jerry Davison, Denise Elmer, Tim Foster, Mary Jane Greenwood, Bob Hancock, Marjorie Huls, Arvilla Noerrlinger, Delma Paul, and Tom and Eileen Shirk. Fleece jackets were given as awards to volunteers providing 50 or more hours of service. Jacket recipients included: Don and Betty Deats, Ninfa Gonzalez, Ken and Mary Jane Greenwood, Alice Meints, Ken and Lois Moore, Inez Steinkamp, John Bstandig, Jean Crom, LeeAnn Genrich, Rose Gonderinger, Charles and Frances Maguire, Don Schnier, and Zelda Stevens.

For more information on volunteering at the monument, contact the Monument’s volunteer manager Susan Cook at (402) 223-3514.

The Friends of Homestead website can be found at  http://friendsofhomestead.blogspot.com.