For Frank and Sharon Duranti volunteering is just something they do. The couple started volunteering with Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities in 1988 and since then have accrued more than 5,500 volunteering hours and donated more than $18,000 for adaptive programs.

“We’ve always volunteered as a couple,” Mesa Resident Frank Duranti said. “It’s not about us but about the people we are helping.”

And the people they’re helping are the kids in Mesa’s adaptive programs. Over the 23 years of volunteering, the Duranti’s have lent their time to programs such as:

· Special Olympics Basketball Tournament

· Special Olympics Cheerleading

· Mistletoe Magic Dance

· Breakfast with Santa

· Camp Carly

This fall the Duranti’s were awarded “Volunteer of the Year” by Arizona Parks and Recreation

Association, a non-profit organization that helps Arizona cities become the best park and recreation service and provider.

“People like Frank and Sharon really make our programs come alive,” Mesa Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Cindy Hunt said. “It’s not just about giving time. They give their mind, body, energy, spirit, and heart in everything they do for our programs. We are successful because of volunteers like Frank and Sharon.”

“We’ve always had people who volunteered for our programs,” Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities Assistant Director, Michael Holste said. “It may be a couple hours here or there but we never had two people like Frank and Sharon who have dedicated their lives to our programs. We want to commend them on this great achievement and award.”

The Duranti’s are past board members for Mesa Disabled Sports and continue to seek ways to raise support for Mesa’s adaptive programs. It is estimated they have personally donated over $18,000 in the past 23 years towards adaptive programs.

“It doesn’t matter if you are physically or intellectually disabled,” Frank Duranti said. “Everyone needs a place to play, recreate and feel that they belong to a team, organization or program.”

Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities congratulate Frank and Sharon Duranti on receiving the 2011 Volunteer of the Year! By: Lily King-Cisneros

Thanks to all of the sponsors, volunteers and participants, the first annual Mesa Sprint Triathlon was a tremendous success and your efforts to help achieve that success are deeply appreciated. We are very pleased to share that we raised over $10,000 and so there will be programs funded by the Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation offered in Mesa that will help prevent childhood obesity. Some of these programs will undoubtedly save lives in the future, so you should feel proud that you helped with such a worthwhile objective. The Foundation will also continue to sponsor learn-to-swim scholarships for Mesa’s youth who cannot afford individual instruction, which should also help prevent drowning’s.All in all, the event has received a lot of praise. We thank you sincerely for your support and hope to have your participation again next year. 

Russ Gillard