Johnsons Win the Coveted Theresa S. Brungardt Award

Stockbridge volunteers Karen and Bill Johnson were honored recently at the 63^rd annual Vermont Governor’s Conference on Recreation, for their efforts helping to improve the outdoor recreation facilities at Stockbridge Central School. They received the Theresa S. Brungardt "Friend" Award, coveted by recreation professionals and volunteers across the state.

Three Theresa S. Brungardt awards are presented each year to a professional, friend, and organization/agency who has made outstanding contributions to the parks and recreation field.

In her nomination of the Johnsons, Stockbridge Central School Principal Pamela Neff said, "Their commitment began as they coached various sports teams and noted that the recreation field was full of rocks. What began as a ‘let’s clean up the field’ project has mushroomed into a community-wide recreation project."

The Johnsons prepared a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant application and Stockbridge received a $40,000 matching grant for their recreation field project.

Stockbridge School Board Chair Shari McLaughlin added, "The recreation project that Bill and Karen Johnson envisioned and created has invigorated the entire town with a sense of possibility. Of course, many, many community members, volunteers and donors have been involved and helping at every step. But without question, Bill and Karen have provided the leadership, vision, dedication, management, and unflagging commitment to bring this project to fruition and completion."

Brungardt was a pioneer and outstanding leader of parks and recreation in Vermont. She began her career in 1917 with the National Recreation Association during World War 1 and became Vermont’s first state Director of Recreation in 1943. She traveled throughout Vermont to help communities with their recreation programs.

Many of the community recreation departments today could trace their origins back to technical assistance and inspiration provided by Mrs. Brungardt. She was nationally recognized for her expertise and in 1952 was elected the first female president of the American Recreation Society.

For more information about how you can nominate an outstanding recreation professional, friend, or organization, contact the VRPA at 802-878-2077 or orselet@adelphia.net.

____________