For the National Park Service, a VIP event doesn’t mean black tie and jacket. The NPS Blue Ridge Parkway’s VIPs — Volunteers in Parks — are community members who blaze and maintain trails, perform traditional music, demonstrate old-time crafts such as weaving and spinning, serve in the visitor centers along the Parkway and assist rangers with resource management needs.

The NPS Blue Ridge Parkway has asked FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway to take a lead role in moving the VIP program forward, recognizing the vital need for volunteerism in national parks. In 2001, the Volunteer in Parks Program provided the Blue Ridge Parkway with 461 volunteers and 33,522 hours of service. The NPS’ goal is to increase the number of volunteers by 44 percent by 2005. FRIENDS’ objective is to help the Blue Ridge Parkway exceed the goal.

Susan Mills, executive director of FRIENDS, is already familiar with what volunteers can do. FRIENDS efforts such as the Viewshed Preservation Projects have already made a difference along the Parkway, encouraging partnerships between Parkway-area communities and national-level corporations such as Home Depot.

For more information on FRIENDS or to become involved in the Volunteer in Parks (VIP) program, contact FRIENDS at 800.228.7275 or online at BRPinfo@aol.com.