In an ode to those who roll up their sleeves without expecting a dime, the Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department tipped their hats to a group of unsung heroes dedicating their hours to the community's green spaces and recreational spots. Among the crowd of volunteers, Bill Collins stands tall with his 40-year tenure at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, and Alex Hernandez, who, for over 20 years, has been a guiding light to young athletes in youth sports.

As per reports from the City of Fort Worth, another beacon of volunteerism, Steve Clouse, poured more than 175 hours in 2023 into the same nature center Collins calls home. Castleberry ISD students and staff, counted as invaluable forestry partners since 2005, have been getting their hands dirty at the City's tree farm and have helped plant seeds of growth in Trinity Park and Bobo Woods.

Fostering pride in the community and shaping the minds toward environmental stewardship, the Park & Recreation Volunteer Program stands as a testament to the power of collective action—inviting people of varying ages and interests to partake. Photos accompanying the report showcase the faces behind the fortitude: the smiling faces of Castleberry ISD students working at the tree farm, and the resolute gazes of dedicated volunteers like Collins, Hernandez, and Clouse.

For those looking for a place to channel their altruistic yearnings, the Volunteer Program seems to be just the call to action. Motivated souls can join the ranks of these local heroes by signing up online through the Park & Recreation Volunteer Program, ensuring the continued legacy of these verdant sanctuaries and playing fields. Cementing their efforts, the City reiterates the impact made by these volunteers—each hour spent not just beautifying landscapes, but nurturing the very spirit of the Fort Worth community.