House of Delegates recognizes local park volunteer group

Springfield District Democratic Committee members Susan Laume and John Wittman were among members of the Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team (PVT) commended by the Virginia House of Delegates through Joint Resolution 257, delivered by Delegate Kathy Tran (D-42nd) in a brief ceremony on December 12 in the Lorton park.

The Resolution recognized the Laurel Hill PVT for its “mission to make Laurel Hill Park as beautiful and inviting as possible and to protect the park’s pristine nature, wildlife, birds, and plants …” The group was recognized previously by Fairfax County, with the 2019 Elly Doyle Special Recognition Award, as one of the first groups to collaborate with the Fairfax County Park Authority through the newly established Park Volunteer Team Program. The group helped to refine the model under the program for coordinating park maintenance efforts between county employees and volunteers.

Though formally established as a PVT under that new model in 2019, the volunteers began their efforts in 2018. Laume and Wittman were among a half dozen volunteers who collected 27 bags of trash from the park in the group’s first event in recognition of Earth Day, April 22, 2018.

The team now conducts several service activities throughout the year, including trash clean-ups, invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, and recently, the establishment and maintenance of pollinator gardens to educate the public about the of native plants.

In presenting the House’s appreciation, Tran read the resolution and noted the number of senators who had signed on as co-patrons.

Laume serves as Team Leader of the Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team.
Wittman organizes SDDC’s twice annual roadside trash pickup, as well, as volunteering at Laurel Hill. SDDC is a district of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.

MAIN PHOTO: Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran presents Resolution to Laurel Hill Park Volunteer and Springfield District Democratic Committee member John Wittman. / Photo by Susan Laume.


Susan Laume is a member of the Springfield District Democratic Committee and director of the Virginia Dog Army, an animal advocacy group.  She and her dog work as a therapy dog team.

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