(Lawrenceville, Ga., Nov. 9, 2017) – The Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA), held its annual banquet on Nov. 8, in Columbus, Georgia to recognize the many talented and hardworking members in the parks and recreation industry. The prestigious Volunteer Award was presented to Alan Villavasso for his lasting contribution to a long standing tradition of the Gwinnett Senior Golden Games. Alan is a longtime Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GCPR) volunteer, and has served as president of the Gwinnett Senior Golden Games since Sept. 2011. Under his supervision, the organization oversaw 234 individual games, managed 234 events and more than 1700 athletes. Alan moved the games forward, growing from 200 athletes to more than 300 athletes participating in 39 games in 18 GCPR facilities and five private facilities throughout Gwinnett County.

GCPR also won the Marketing and Visibility Publication Award for the marketing campaign of Older Americans Month to celebrate older Americans, their stories and their contributions. The Outstanding Programming Award was presented for the Aquatic Literary Nights, held in partnership with the Gwinnett County Public Library. GCPR hosted two events that brought to life different literary works. GCPR would like to congratulate all the winners of the GRPA District 7. For more information on GRPA, visit www.grpa.org.