We have a winner!

Membership Survey Provides Good insight

Thanks to all our Friends for taking the time to complete our recent membership survey.  We asked you to participate and you did not disappoint. We got responses from more than half of our members….a strong expression of your preferences to help guide the future of the Friends of Silver Spring State Park (FSSSP). Our goal is to make sure that our CSO operates in a way that supports both our Park and you, its members. So what did we learn from your responses to achieve these goals?  

Here are some top-level findings from the survey:

- Not surprisingly, a majority of you told us that your primary purpose for joining the Friends is to make improvements to Silver Spring State Park through fundraising and volunteer work. Most of you also indicated that you prefer focusing your volunteer service by working on Friends events such as Critter Trail as well as assisting visitors to the Park through the Welcome Center or on River Patrol. Finally, you told us that your favorite way to get communication from the Friends is via e-mail.

- Regarding future ways to make our organization work better for you, there was lots of support for activities that better prepare volunteers for service, such as tours of the Park and volunteer orientations on Friends projects. You also liked these ideas for activities to strengthen our membership offerings: continuation of the speakers series at membership meetings and the possible addition of picnics, musical events or games.  

Winner of the Publix Gift Certificate…..Donates it to Charity

As promised, we put Friends survey participants’ names in a hat and President David Rossiter, drew Judith Angrisano's name as the winner of the $ 25 Publix certificate. It didn’t take Judy long to decide to donate it to a local Ocala food bank. Judy had this to say about her donation: “In these times, there is even a greater need for us to ‘Pay it Forward’ to help others that are struggling to survive.” Judy’s generosity has so inspired the FSSSP Board of Directors that it recently took action to match her donation.  

Here’s more about our Friend, Judy Angrisano. Her motivation for participating as a member of the Friends stems from her love of the environment, her avid appreciation of Silver Springs State Park and her desire to make a contribution to its preservation, improvement and enjoyment by others. She has been a member of FSSSP since 2016 when fellow-Friend, Diane Boles encouraged her to join. Since that time, she has volunteered in a number of ways including on Friend’s fundraising events such as Critter Trail, working on gardening crews, serving on the River Patrol and at the Silver River Museum. While she enjoys all these opportunities to serve, she says her heart is with the River Patrol. There she relishes the opportunity to help visiting kayakers, canoers and boaters stay safe and gain deeper knowledge and respect for the River and its unique plant and animal life. As a widow and snow-bird, Judy also expressed deep regard for the community of Friends she has gained through her membership. “I love the people and the personal friendships I’ve made which extend beyond my time in the Park.”  Congratulations to Judy and thanks for all you do!