If you are lucky, you belong to an organization that strives and accomplishes its mission.
After retirement, I looked for an organization that represented my interests. I was always aware of the importance of the environment. I enjoyed simply walking in the woods and basking in the peace that it provided. I had visited Ouabache State Park with my children and realized that it offered so many opportunities for me to teach my children about stewardship to our earth. I joined Friends of Ouabache State Park in 2016, and I am extremely proud to call myself a member of this organization.
Friends of Ouabache State Park’s mission statement is as follows: The Friends of Ouabache State Park are stewards of our natural and cultural resources, serving our community to provide interpretation and volunteer opportunities in an effort to remember past contributions and to promote and preserve our park for future generations.
I have been in organizations that write lofty mission statements and never seem to keep focused on them. I soon lost interest because it was those goals that drew me to them. FOOSP (Friends of Ouabache State Park) has directed their activities and projects towards their mission. I soon found myself involved in areas that became my passion, and I always seem to be amazed with the enthusiasm and dedication of my fellow members.
Sometimes when you join a group you have to change your personal interests or skills to fit their agenda. FOOSP strives to find the niche that can use the interests and skills that you bring to the table. If you like to hike, there are trail maintenance and restoration groups. If you like birding, you can join the Bluebird Brigade and Martin House maintenance. If you want to be involved but not lead, there’s always something that needs help getting done. If you are mobility challenged, there are things that can be done from the comfort of your home. Clerical work your thing? They have a job for you. Photography? Writing? Sales? FOOSP is waiting for you. You choose how much and when to be involved. I’m a logistical type of person. I have found a place to use my organizational skills to plan events and my writing skills to produce grants and be part of Discover Ouabache online magazine.
Some organizations are age specific, only catering to certain age groups. FOOSP opens its arms to individuals of all ages. You can find members as young as four and as old as 90 enjoying giving back to the community. I love the events where the older generation passes on skills and passions to youngsters. In turn, the youngsters bring their endless energy and abundance of curiosity to the older members. A good example of this is the Jr/Teen Indiana Master Naturalist Camp in June. Older members instruct and guide the young campers but also glean the joy seen on the faces of the campers. I remember the day that one of our hike leaders was instructing the group to be sure not to step too close to the muddy lake bottom. In usual form one child strayed towards the mud so the volunteer dashed to grab her from impending doom. In the process he found himself knee deep in mud and soon sitting in the mire. From that day on he was fondly called Muddy Dave. It truly was a learning experience for all.
FOOSP not only supports the park but also gives back to the community. The annual Wonderland of Lights has become a holiday tradition for many families. Last year attendance was over 2500 vehicles. At $5 a vehicle, that’s $10,000 that was collected and later invested in making the park a great place for community members to enjoy. Participation is free and many local families, groups, and businesses decorate a site in the campground for the show. Others become Spirit Sponsors with a monetary donation to help replace fading lights and event sponsors to help put on the show.
That brings me to the final thing about FOOSP. All money raised and donated to the organization is spent on Ouabache State Park. Your membership and donations are spent on a local entity and you can see your money in action.
This Saturday, October 21, FOOSP is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a pancake and sausage breakfast at the Trails End Shelter from 7 – 10 a.m. Founding members of the organization will be honored, and the various projects and events that FOOSP has funded over the years will be highlighted. Nearly $20,000 has been invested by FOOSP in the past ten years. FOOSP is inviting all to come and enjoy. There will be a goodwill offering to help fray expenses.
Here’s the thing: If you have time on your hands or have children you want to show by example of giving back to your community, Friends of Ouabache is a great organization to be involved with. Come and check them out at the next membership meeting on October 26 at 6:30 at the lodge. I did that very thing seven years ago and have gained far more than I have given.
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Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of articles written by a group of retired and current teachers — LaNae Abnet, Ken Ballinger, Billy Kreigh, Kathy Schwartz, and Anna Spalding. Their intent is to spur discussions at the dinner table and elsewhere. You may also voice your thoughts and reactions via The News-Banner’s letters to editor.
