(Aspen, CO) - The recipients of the 2020 Pitkin County Cares Volunteer Service and Greg Mace Awards will be honored during the virtual meeting of the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, October 14th at 12 noon. Fifteen outstanding Roaring Fork Valley residents were chosen from nominations received from a cross-section of community organizations and nonprofits throughout the summer.
Now in its 20th year, the purpose of the program is to honor individuals and groups for their outstanding service, leadership, and civic involvement.
Among the award categories is the Greg Mace Award established in the late 1980s in memory of Greg Mace, a dedicated Mountain Rescue Aspen volunteer, who died in a climbing accident on North Maroon in 1986.
2020 Honorees:
Greg Mace Award: Doug Paley and Debbie Kelly
Doug Paley and Debbie Kelly are longtime Mountain Rescue Aspen Volunteers logging 50 years between them who, like the late Greg Mace, have dedicated their lives to saving lives through backcountry rescue and mountain safety education
Exceptional One-Time-Event Award: John Bennett, Meg Haynes and Jackie Francis
The Pilot, Co-Pilot and Navigator of one of the most intensive public processes ever undertaken in the history of Pitkin County Government.
Children and Youth Award - Kim McHale Baillargeon
Kim McHale Baillargeon has been a more than decade-long mentor, companion and confidant as a Big Buddy in the Aspen Buddy Program.
Rising Star Award - Lupita Ortiz
Lupita Ortiz, recently 18, grew up as a Little Buddy in the Aspen Buddy Program and became a Big Buddy herself through the Peer to Peer program.
Seniors Award - More than 50 volunteers
More than 50 volunteers from laid-off ski instructors and out-of-work teachers to retirees, limo drivers and 2nd homeowners delivered meals 4-day-a-week to isolated older adults. Their names will be published at www.pitkinseniors.com.
Health Award - Lacy Fyrwald
Lacy Fyrwald makes homemade meals and delivers them to people suffering from cancer and other debilitating diseases on behalf of the Pathfinders Angels Program.
Community Pride - James Hoge
James Hoge, who is homeless himself, filled the role as Camp Manager at the Safe Outdoor Space created for Aspen’s chronic homeless population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Good Samaritans - Katherine Sand, Whitney Justice, Carrington Brown, Joey Woltemath, and Hannah Berman
Katherine Sand - Food Banks for COVID-19 relief
Whitney Justice - Befriended and helped a local homeless man.
Carrington Brown - Builds homes for Habitat for Humanity
Joey Woltemath - Helped facilitate the construction of the COVD-19 homeless encampment
Hannah Berman - Facilitated volunteers for food banks and other COVID-19 relief
Environment and Outdoor - Bob Wade
Founder and facilitator of numerous beloved outdoor events in Aspen including the Golden Leaf Half Marathon, America’s Uphill, and Owl Creek Chase among others and longtime member of Independence Pass Foundation.
Pitkin County Commissioners will honor the recipients at a special virtual ceremony during their regular meeting on Wednesday, October 14th at 12 noon. The public is invited to watch the ceremony online at www.pitkincounty.com/watchmeetings. The ceremony will also be televised on CGTV Channel 11. Call 970-366-7901 for more information.