The American Lighthouse Foundation honored 19 outstanding
volunteers on November 22, 2008 during its Lighthouse Gala & Volunteer
Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency in Newport, RI.
The 19 volunteers received ALF’s prestigious “Len Hadley
Volunteerism Award” during the third annual volunteer dinner, which
Photo by Don Doucette
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse,
Rhode Island
included three
members of the Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.
Don Doucette, chairman for the Friends of Pomham Rocks, presented FPRL
volunteers Chris Allen, Carlene Joiner and Nancy Doucette with their ALF
“Len Hadley Volunteerism Award” as an appreciative audience looked on.
Excerpted remarks
made by Don Doucette about the three FPRL volunteers…
Chris Allen
– “During the last several years, Chris has been active with the FPRL Events
Committee and has served as Event Chairperson for the past
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Chris Allen (left) receives his 2008 ALF
"Len Hadley Volunteerism Award" from
FPRL chairman Don Doucette
year. Over the last several years, Chris has donated his
nautical skills and provided the use of several boats to help inspect
and maintain our lighthouse property.
Additionally, his two outboard powerboats transported
Pomham Rocks’ Lighthouse Santa and Elves during the last Christmas
season. Chris created and fabricated a popular Pomham silhouette photo
board
used for public
programs. The photo board acts as a group trademark and ‘attention getter’
wherever FPRL travels.
And during this last Memorial Day Parade in Riverside, a Pomham Rocks
Lighthouse replica parade float, which Chris helped fabricate, did our
military heroes honor as the Pomham Rocks patriotic float was showcased
along the parade route.”
Carlene Joiner – “Carlene, along
with her husband Jim, has performed invaluable services for our group,
including photographic and sound system
skills. She has been active through the Pomham Rocks
Events Committee, helping organize and fulfill many of our events.
Carlene is one of those people who is always ‘there.’ Her
particular skill is that of publishing our Pomham Rocks Lighthouse
newsletter, The Pomham Glow. This is not an easy job and involves
many hours of editing and re-editing.
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Carlene Joiner receives her 2008 "Len
Hadley Volunteerism Award" from
FPRL chairman Don Doucette
Carlene’s total
volunteer efforts are much appreciated by the Friends of Pomham Rocks
Lighthouse as she serves with a smile and good cheer. As a volunteer, she
has stuck with the Pomham project ‘like glue’ and is an inspiration to all
of us who prevail with the ongoing restoration and preservation of her
hometown lighthouse – Pomham Rocks.”
Nancy Doucette
– “Nancy is one of several individual conceptual founders of the Friends of
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, and eventually, a charter
Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani
Nancy Doucette receives her 2008 "Len
Hadley Volunteerism Award" from
FPRL chairman Don Doucette
founder of the group. To say that Nancy has ‘worn many
hats’ during the organizational process of FPRL is an understatement, to
be sure.
For you who know Nancy, understand the abundant
multi-tasking efforts she has extended to see the Pomham preservation
project thrive, including the overall general well being of lighthouse
preservation. She
officially serves the board of FPRL as Secretary, but she is very modest
about touting her countless organizational abilities, and more often than
not, demurs when her many skills and accomplishments are mentioned.
Nonetheless, she remains an integral human asset as a promotional champion
with the American Lighthouse Foundation’s efforts to help restore and
preserve lighthouses, along with their rich heritage. Nancy once arrived at
a divergence in the road and chose a path toward lighthouses – and for all
involved, a choice well made.”
