SNAP project manager Bob Francis receives the District II Volunteer of the Year Award from the Alabama Recreation & Parks Association in a ceremony at Sparkman Civic Center Thursday. Making the presentation, from left, are Byron Faulkner, assistant P&R director and Staci McCormick, activities director.

Bob Francis, who has served as project manager for the John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground (SNAP) for the past seven years, has been recognized as the District II Volunteer of the Year, an award presented annually by the Alabama Recreation & Parks Association.

The award was announced at a ceremony held at Sparkman Civic Center on Thursday afternoon.

To commemorate the achievement, an engraved plaque was presented to Francis by Hartselle Parks & Recreation director Byron Faulkner..Activities director Staci McCormick reported that Francis has also been named the state winner and will be recognized for his volunteer work at the annual ARPA meeting to be held in Hoover in February 2014.

In accepting the award, Francis thanked the SNAP committee and P&R personnel “In every volunteer organization there’s a point man that gets more credit than he deserves.” he said. “You all are the reason I’m getting an award. You have been a super group of people with whom to work.”

McCormick nominated Francis for the award with the following letter:

“Hartselle Parks and Recreation would like to nominate Mr. Bob Francis for the 2013 Volunteer Award. Mr. Francis is involved in many volunteer aspects of our city. However, one of his greatest accomplishments is the erection of the John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground (SNAP). The boundless playground, which currently includes play equipment, a pavilion with restrooms and a splash pad was the dream Mr. Francis brought to life when he realized that over 1,700 children in our county alone were restricted from using standard playground equipment. Beginning in 2006, Mr. Francis volunteered countless hours applying for grants, organizing fundraisers and volunteer workdays that have made it possible for this phenomenal facility to become a reality. As project manager for SNAP, he is still heavily involved with this project and can be seen daily overseeing the facility. Without his dedication and determination, the SNAP boundless playground, which was awarded the 2011 “Best Aquatics Facility” by Aquatics International Magazine, would not be the thriving attraction to our department that it is today. Through his hard work and timeless efforts, Mr. Francis has given every child a right to play.”

The SNAP Committee also presented Francis a plaque in recognition of his vision and leadership.