Help to the Smokies project

Park superintendent thanks volunteers

Babette Collavo, volunteer coordinator for the park, and Randy Wegwerth of park maintenance present Bob Presley, project coordinator, with a plaque. Photo by Tommy Maxwell

Karen Wade, superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, came to Y-12 recently to meet with and express the appreciation of the GSMNP to Energy Systems and ORNL employees who have volunteered their time on several occasions for the Help to the Smokies project to refurbish the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Ground in the park.

The project was started by Lockheed Martin after being approached by the Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for volunteers.

According to Randy Wegwerth of park maintenance, there has been a tremendous (more than 50 percent) increase in picnic ground usage since the work to replace table tops, paint table frames and rebuild gravel pads around the tables began.

More than 175 Energy Systems and ORNL employees have participated in the project. Additional work on the project or other projects are planned.

Wade presented Energy Systems President Bob Van Hook and Bob Presley, Energy Systems project coordinator, with a large wooden plaque to commemorate the company's participation in the project.

A total of 2,800 volunteer hours from Energy Systems employees have been invested in the project. The company also has donated more than $10,000 to help buy materials for the project.