Twentieth Celebration Hailed as “Best Ever!”

On March 14th TuCARE celebrated 20 years with over 270 members and friends at the Elks Lodge. New this year was the addition of a three-piece band, the Lava Cats, and an extended social time that everyone appreciated. In addition, many of the auction items were one of a kind and truly unique.

Several awards were given during the evening’s program. Notably, Conservationist of the Year recipient, Robert Kinsinger, instrumental in helping to prepare natural resource students from Modesto Junior College for future careers with the generous donation of time and property for an outdoor education lab site in Confidence. Glenn Gottschall, retired Forest Service, Registered Professional Forester, and a TuCARE Board of Director, was given Educator of the Year for his work with The Forestry Institute for Teachers, (FIT). County Supervisor, Teri Murrison, received TuCARE’s Excellence in Government award. Teri is dedicated to protecting the natural resource based economy of Tuolumne County.

Special guests for the evening included the first President of TuCARE’s Board of Directors, Shirley Campbell. Shirley congratulated TuCARE on 20 years of dedicated service to natural resource education. Tom Lealos, a founder and former Board President sent a video presentation. Former Executive Director Nancy Rosasco sent a written congratulation for TuCARE and Ginger Armstrong, Nancy’s successor, also unable to attend, sent a video presentation.

Despite difficult economic times, TuCARE’s silent and live auctions were very successful thanks to the generosity of both the donors and the buyers. TuCARE wishes to thank all who helped make this a special evening.