Awards for Volunteers
- Home
- Hike Leaders
- Awards for Volunteers
Significant Contributions at ADK
Over the years, The North Jersey Ramapo Chapter has given awards to those members who have made significant contributions to our chapter. These Lifetime Volunteer awards recognize the efforts of these individuals to help the chapter expand and become enriched.
2024 Lifetime Volunteer Award
Suzan Gordon
In recognition of her many years of service to ADK and elsewhere, Suzan Gordon is the recipient of our Lifetime Volunteer Award for 2024.
Suzan joined the Ramapo Chapter of ADK about 35 years ago, and served on its board for many years, first as the Program/Special Outings Chair, and later as its Chair.
As the Program/Special Outings Chair, she was responsible for arranging the program for the quarterly membership meetings, and planned Ramapo’s first holiday party in 1998. In 2005, Suzan planned and organized the popular annual Mohonk Mountain House Day, which continued for many years.
As Chair, she was the driving force behind the mergers of the Ramapo and North Jersey Chapters in 2009, and became the first Chair of the NJR Chapter.
2023 Lifetime Volunteer Award
Peter Tilgner
In recognition of his many years of service, Peter Tilgner is the recipient of the chapter’s Lifetime Volunteer Award for 2023.Peter joined ADK 33 years ago, becoming Chair of the North Jersey Chapter in 1998, before its merger with the Ramapo Chapter. He has served as the Outings Chair on the board of the NJR Chapter, a position he has held for 24 years. Peter has also led innumerable hikes over the years.
Peter’s volunteerism extends beyond ADK. He volunteered for 20 years for our sister agency, New York New Jersey Trail Conference. For his dedication, he was the recipient of their Going the Extra Mile and Dedicated Service awards. And under their auspices, he was responsible for the establishment and/or relocation of numerous trails in several parks throughout our region.
Peter retired as an art teacher after a 37-year career. He pursues his love of art by creating photographic collages, which can be seen on his website: petertilgnerphotoart.net.
2022 Lifetime Volunteer Award Recipient
Fred Hodde
Fred Hodde is a recipient of a Lifetime Volunteer Award for 2022. Fred joined ADK in 2009 after his semi-retirement from AT&T, where he ended his illustrious career as an electrical engineer.
His outstanding service and contributions were first recognized in 201 5 when he received a White Birch Award from ADK. By that time he had been a member of the board of NJR for 5 years, serving as Secretary, and had led the most hikes of any member during those years. He has continued to serve as Secretary on the board, for 13th years.
In addition, Fred has maintained trails for the NYNJ Trail Conference in both Harriman and Wawayanda State Parks.
2021 Lifetime Volunteer Award Recipient
Manny Silberberg
Manny Silberberg is the recipient of the Lifetime Volunteer Award for 2021.
Manny is a lifetime member of ADK who has greatly contributed to the North Jersey Ramapo Chapter’s success. In addition to being an ADK member, hiker and ADK board director, Manny is a musician. He is a retired music teacher and he plays the cello. While a teacher, he twice had the privilege of conducting the Bronx Borough Wide Orchestra in Carnegie Hall. Now he plays with the Riverside Orchestra in New York City and with the North Jersey Symphony in Fair Lawn, NJ.
Since joining ADK, Manny has led numerous hikes for our members, including many challenging hikes in Harriman. He has been a Trail Conference trail supervisor, responsible for many trails in Harriman Park. Manny represented our chapter as an ADK Chapter Director from 1991 to 2010, when he also served on the chapter board.
In 2006 he was awarded the White Birch award for his many contributions to ADK.
2020 Lifetime Volunteer Award
Marilyn Adair
Marilyn is the recipient of ADK NJR’s Lifetime Volunteer Award for 2020.
Marilyn Adair has a long volunteering history with ADK. As a founding member of the North Jersey Chapter, she attended the very first two meetings of the chapter. As the years went by, she served in many roles. In 1972 she was Vice Chair. She began organizing canoe trips in 1977. In 1980–1981, she was the chapter’s treasurer and in 1982–1983 she was chair of the North Jersey Chapter. During the 1980’s and early 1990’s she led hikes regularly.
But Marilyn’s enthusiasm went beyond the chapter level. Beginning in 1980 she served several terms as a Governor on the main club’s board and she was a member of the Executive and Development Committees in 1994 – 1995, the Education Committee from 1986 – 2000 and she was a Director in 2003.