Melissa Lewis and Anne Ligon of LHWL receive the President’s Award from Sean Johnson, VP of Dallas Park Board and Willis Winters, Director of Dallas Park and Recreation. Photo courtesy of Dallas Park and Recreation

Lake Highlands Women’s League and Junior Women’s League members were honored Saturday by the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, which presented both organizations with Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. The recognition is for individuals, families and groups who have given 500 or more hours of service over the last years.

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“Our organization has had a wonderful partnership with the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center,” said Jacy Russell, past president of LHJWL, which hosts their two major annual fundraisers, Light Up the Night and Run the Highlands, at the DPARD facility. LHJWL reps receiving the award, in fact, had to dash home in the middle of hosting Run the Highlands and change out of their volunteer tees for Saturday’s snazzy Fair Park luncheon.

“Each year we use the money raised from our Run the Highlands event to do a community project and, we have chosen to do several the recreation center that the entire community could enjoy, including the Splash Pad [spray park] and Fun Zone [indoor play center].”

Funds raised in 2017 and 2018 will go to create an All Abilities Playground at Flagpole Hill, accessible by children with special needs, children with limited mobility parents, and the siblings and friends who’d like to join them. The project is also supported by the Lake Highlands Women’s League.

“Through our fundraising efforts this year, we also voted to fund a summer camp leader’s salary at LH North,” said Melissa Hood, president of LHWL. “Our members also participated in My Park Day to assist with weeding, mulching and planting. It was such a favorite service project that we decided to add additional opportunities for our members to assist with maintaining the 6 flower beds scattered across the LHN Recreation Center in the coming year.”

LHWL members meet at the rec center each month.

“We love to recognize and support other non-profits and schools for all that they do to strengthen and serve our community,” continued Hood. “The positive about being on the receiving end of an award like this and the recognition it brings is that it highlights our wonderful community.”

Recipients received a certificate, a pin and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States.

LHJWL members Suzy Shoup, Camille Jacobie, Jacy Russell, Bryn Volkmer and Lacy McGough receive the President’s Award from Sean Johnson and Willis Winters. Photo by Dallas Park and Recreation.

Mayor Mike Rawlings congratulates the honorees