Volunteer Sue Buchheister
"Momma Sue" Buchheister is the recipient of the 2023 Gold Medal Award for 30,000 Hours of Service.
Forty hours per week raking, painting, hauling, mowing, mulching, debris clearing, helping, decorating, and any other park-related “-ing” you can imagine is Momma Sue's specialty.
For 17-years “Momma Sue” Buchheister has brought unmatched energy and dedication to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and her marks are noticed, and even unnoticed, everywhere.
She coordinates decorations for events (including the massive Celebration of Lights) provides food on behalf of the Friends for project days, is the first to jump in to help with the hardest projects, does more loads of wildlife laundry than any hotel would ever do, bakes “breakfast bars” for maintenance (they’re usually some version of cookie brownies, perfect with morning coffee), and countless other contributions parkwide.
When no one is looking, we know she is picking up a stray piece of garbage, removing a fallen palm frond, removing invasive plants, beautifying landscapes, delegating woodshop projects, and solving problems that park staff don’t even know exist. Sue just makes it happen.
Park Manager Zach Phifer says about Sue, “Admirable, role model, inspirational, dedicated, kind-hearted, genuine, passionate, caring, thoughtful. Sue Buchheister is a salt of the earth type of person and is so well respected amongst her fellow volunteers and staff.”
Congratulations, Momma Sue. This park will forever be impacted by your efforts.
