Celebrating Volunteers in Parks and their Impact on the National Mall
HONORING OUR 2024 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR ON THE NATIONAL MALL
On January 31st, 2025 the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service gathered volunteers and National Park Rangers to celebrate the achievements of the National Mall volunteer corps in 2024.
Led by the Trust and the National Park Service, the National Mall Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP)—a corps of 300 dedicated individuals—play a vital role in helping National Park Service rangers bring America’s Front Yard to life for the millions who visit each year. National Mall volunteers serve as guides to welcome visitors at sites across the National Mall, including sites built or restored by the Trust like the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center and the Lockkeeper’s House. Our expert volunteers greet visitors and help them connect to history, and also serve host to veterans, servicemembers and their loved ones at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial. Their role takes on new and pressing meaning as we approach America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026, when the National Mall will be center stage for this historic anniversary.
“You help National Park rangers bring the National Mall to life for visitors from around the world. We are truly so honored and grateful for your service and the gift of your time.” -Trust for the National Mall President and CEO Catherine Townsend
Scroll below to meet our 2024 Volunteers of the Year.
Our VIP Volunteer Impact in 2024:
The Trust for the National Mall and National Park Service recruited and trained over 100 NEW volunteers, equaling a total of 276 volunteers on the National Mall.
Our volunteers served over 19,000 hours welcoming visitors at sites across the National Mall.
New Volunteer of the Year: Estevis Velasquez-Flores
“Estevis is a high school student who has made an impressive impact on the National Mall."
In just one year of volunteering, Estevis served 250 hours, more than double DC Public Schools' community service requirement across four years
Volunteer Group of the Year: Trails & Rails Volunteer Team
"This group of volunteers has displayed the heart of service to each other and to those they serve."
After relaunching the National Mall's Trails and Rails program in 2024, this group of 15 dedicated volunteers spent nearly 700 hours riding Amtrak from Washington, D.C. to New York and back, sharing information about our national parks and helping visitors prepare for their visits to the National Mall.
Volunteer of the Year: Tawana Moore
"Tawana exemplifies the dedication, leadership, and passion that defines the heart of National Park Service volunteers.”
Tawana was a leader in re-launching the National Mall's Trails & Rails program in 2024. She coordinated volunteer training, recruitment, and onboarding, and facilitated volunteers joining more than 50 train rides between Washington, D.C. and New York. Tawana herself spent more than 150 hours on board, sharing the national parks and National Mall with visitors.
Enduring Service Award: Jeri McMahon
"Jeri is an exuberant, enthusiastic, representative of our team. I am proud to be part of a team that features such amazing individuals as Jeri, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn from her."
Jeri has been serving at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for 15 years, where she has contributed more than 3,000 hours of her time and talent. She is a leader in coordinating collecting and sending name rubbings from The Wall to veterans and family members across the country.
