04/24/2026
🌟 The 2026 Volunteer Awards Night was unforgettable! 🌟
Last night, we came together to celebrate the amazing people who keep the East Coast Trail strong, safe, and thriving.
🏆 Eric Lentz recieved the John Ross Clipper Award for his leadership & unwavering dedication to the Volunteer Maintenance program.
🎉 Geralyn Parrell & Sarah Byrne were dually honoured with the Flamber Head Award for their steady contributions while serving on the Board of Directors.
🎖️ Plus, 2 Trail Custodian Service Awards went to dedicated champions for 14 and 23 years of service.
A real highlight was hearing from our guest speakers: Team Rubicon Canada, with CEO Mischa Kaplan and Grey Shirts from the Newfoundland and Labrador team. They shared stories about the organization’s work supporting communities through disaster response, powered by the skills and dedication of veterans and first responders.
What stood out most was how closely their values align with our own volunteer community. Showing up, doing the hard work, and leaving places better than you found them. We’re especially grateful they’ll be joining us on the ground at TrailRaiser 2026 this June in Mobile.
Swipe through for the smiles, the stories, and the people who make this trail a community.