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From a Volunteer’s View
By David Bynum, Corps of Engineers Volunteer

Volunteers Shirley, Aaron, and Vance Mossler

Lake Sidney Lanier, in north central Georgia near Atlanta, is one of the top U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in the country for visitor volume, recreation revenue, repeat visitor usage, and concern for community welfare. The symbiotic relationship that exists among members of the community, volunteers, the Corps staff and park rangers, surrounding city and county governments and law enforcement agencies, welds a cohesive team, working for the betterment of this little corner of the country.

Photo by Roy Plummer

Roy Plummer

A few years ago, the Corps had the wisdom and foresight to establish a separate, fully-equipped camping area, designated for volunteers who agree to assist rangers and other Corps staff with the day-to-day challenges of managing the 54,000 acres of public property on Lake Lanier. Designated as "The Volunteer Village," the area is home to seven couples that exchange volunteer time for the privilege of a campsite in spacious surroundings with full hookups, plus available phone and data connections. Duties include everything from helping the rangers wherever possible, presenting water safety programs, representing the Corps at boating and camper shows, staffing the Project Office, picking up trash, clearing trails, and much more.

The dedicated people involved make the Volunteer Village a viable force for the Corps and the community. People like Bill and Carol Irving from Rochester, NY, who worked through medical challenges to volunteer. Their work made a difference, and the connection they feel compelled them to return for visits (and card games) twice since their departure last fall.

Vance and Shirley Mossler hail from Tennessee. Vance teaches and coaches at a local high school. Aaron, their eleven-year-old "friend to all," helps to meet their volunteer obligations.

In addition to Lake Lanier, volunteers help at Corps lakes across the country as park or campground hosts, staffing visitor centers, maintaining park trails and facilities, providing fish and wildlife habitat, and more. A free campsite with hookups is often provided. Volunteers enjoy beautiful lakes and waterways, meet new people, gain valuable skills useful in applying for paid positions, and make a difference. For more information about volunteer positions, contact the Corps of Engineers Volunteer Clearinghouse at 1-800-865-8337, or go online to www.lrn.usace.army.mil/volunteer

Paul and Rhoda Rittmueller rolled in to the Volunteer Village from Chicago. Paul worked with rangers and other volunteers to rehabilitate a beautiful, four-mile trail frequented by hundreds of visitors each week. Regular trail users preparing for the famous Peachtree Road Race soon were on a first-name basis with Paul, the rangers, and other volunteers.

Photo by Roy Plummer

Dann Cross

Roy and Andrea Plummer, from North Georgia, loaned their talents to the Corps for more than a year. Roy, formerly with Panasonic, is a master builder. Andrea, the official Mayor of the Volunteer Village, manages the reception area at the Project Office.

"We couldn’t do without our great volunteers," said Park Ranger Chris Arthur. "With a high profile project like Lake Lanier and the volume of work, the volunteers perform a multitude of duties so the rangers can be other places, such as patrolling and working emergencies. Our volunteers are assets that we can’t do without!"

Wayne and Judy Dodson came from Alaska to volunteer at Lake Lanier during the winter. Though their stay at the Volunteer Village was brief, their contributions were significant. Judy quickly learned the intricacies of the reservation system and issuing Golden Age/Access cards in the office. Wayne built new bridges and repaired old ones.

Hugh and Freda Beeson, from California by way of Kansas, are magical people that serve as park attendants at a Corps campground in the summer and work in the Volunteer Village in the winter. Hugh is a WWII veteran in his eighties and loves the music of the forties and fifties. He can dance all night and rise at six ready for the challenges of the day. Freda represents the calming influence in this family!

Photo by Roy Plummer

Joyce Taylor

Nationwide, the Corps has many opportunities for paid park attendants, like the Beesons, to help operate campgrounds and day-use recreation areas. Park attendant positions at Corps lakes are generally handled one of three ways, depending on the lake: 1) small contracts directly between the park attendants and the Corps; 2) working for a company that provides the park attendant services for the Corps; or 3) volunteer. Interested individuals can contact the lake’s Resource Manager’s Office or the district office to receive information on the procedure at specific locations. Most Corps park attendant contracts require two adults to provide their own RV and live in the recreation area at the campsite provided. Duties vary, but generally include checking campers in, collecting fees, providing information, using a computer, inspecting facilities, and providing surveillance

Like all families, the Volunteer Village has experienced happiness and endured the sadness of losing one of their own, Johnny Carroll. Johnny and Linda Carroll came from different parts of the country, met in Georgia, were married, and retired to this part of the world in 1999. Johnny and Linda managed a Corps campground during the summer and volunteered at the Volunteer Village over the winter. Johnny passed away in May. While his passing was a tragedy, the love and support Linda receives from her Corps and Village families has facilitated the healing process to the point that she elected to resume her duties as a campground park attendant. Linda believes that keeping busy in the field Johnny and she selected will keep his memory alive and multiply the confidence and positive feelings they shared as a couple.

Individual histories and life experiences constitute the lava that flows through the lives and warms the separate, yet co-mingled existences at the Volunteer Village. The all-too-brief time spent with one another in the Village cements feelings of continuity. New comers like Dann and Gail Cross from Georgia, and David and Joyce Taylor from Florida, are examples of the top quality volunteers currently residing in the Village. Life-long friendships become firmly established in only a few days. That’s the way the Volunteer Village works.

The Volunteer Village operated by the Corps of Engineers at Lake Sidney Lanier represents a typical American community in microcosm. I’m proud to have been a part of it. My wife and I are thankful and feel that the Village experience provides us a deeper appreciation for the abundances of life.

Pictured left to right: (back) Aaron Mossler, Chris Arthur, Vance Mossler; (front) Joyce Taylor, Dann Cross, Roy Plummer, Shirley Mossler, and David Bynum.

Photo by Mark Williams

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Volunteer Program • Nationwide Volunteer Clearinghouse

Learn more about becoming a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Volunteer today!
To apply online click here or phone the Volunteer Clearinghouse Hotline 1-800-VOL-TEER (1-800-865-8337)

To review a list of available
Park Attendant contracts, click here.

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