STATE PARKS -- An Airway Heights couple has been named the state park system's "Hosts of the Year" in the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's 2010 Volunteer Recognition Awards for outstanding volunteer service.

John and Darlene Lundstrum stood out in during their second year as park hosts at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park.

In addition to doing general host duties, they helped in the ground breaking of the new amphitheater, delivered sand to the day-use beach, repaired park mowers and developed an equipment usage board. They organized a volunteer cleanup at Camp Delaney Environmental Learning Center (ELC) and developed a safe way to move the heavy grills at the center. At Dry Falls Visitor Center, they developed and constructed garbage receptacle lids that are functional and keep birds and raccoons out. They primed and painted the ELC restroom exterior and helped with the Flood Fest event at Dry Falls, where Darlene Lundstrom dressed as “Eager Beaver” to hand out items to children and visitors.

Last year, volunteers performed 313,461 hours of work, equal to 150 full-time employees.