Love Of Marine Life Attracts Committed Cadre Of Volunteers

TAMPA, FL — During the past year, Ken Moser has spent 600 hours working at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, educating visitors, answering questions at the guest services desk and helping to fill the bellies of the aquarium's more than 9,000 residents.

Nevertheless, he's never taken a dime for all his work.

In fact, he and his wife, Becky, have spent their own money creating a series of eight handcrafted stained-glass windows that now adorn the entrance of the aquarium and even donated their $1,200 federal stimulus check to the organization.

It's people like the Mosers who are the heart and soul of the nonprofit aquarium, said The Florida Aquarium President and CEO Roger Germann.

While the aquarium can always hire qualified veterinarians, marine biologists, researchers and animal care specialists to feed and care for the aquarium's more than 9,000 residents, collecting a contingent of committed, dependable volunteers isn't quite so simple.

“We could not provide the educational experiences, the level of animal care or deliver the conservation-based programs that we do without the men and women who volunteer countless hours to this organization," Germann said. "They are critical, and we appreciate them more than they will ever know."

Nevertheless, the aquarium's board and staff were determined to express their gratitude to the nearly 300 people who dedicate so much of their lives to The Florida Aquarium each year.

Volunteers were feted during a ceremony during National Volunteer Appreciation Week April 18 to 24, at which Moser was named Volunteer of the Year.

"In his two years of service, Ken has helped educate our guests, prepare diets for our animals and helped out at volunteer cleanups," said Germann. "Ken returned to volunteering as soon as he could when we reopened (following the pandemic closures), and he and his wife even donated their first stimulus check to the aquarium, stating they knew the animals needed it more than they did. Ken embodies all that a Volunteer of the Year should be."

Also recognized with The Florida Aquarium's Outstanding Service Award were two men who have devoted untold hours to the aquarium's conservation missions.

Patrick McGirk has volunteered nearly 1,600 hours over the past two years, including Christmas and New Year’s Day, at the aquarium's Center for Conservation in Apollo Beach where researchers have received worldwide acclaim for their groundbreaking efforts to rescue the ocean's endangered coral reefs.

Marine biologists at the conservation center said McGirk has shown a true passion for restoring coral reefs, spending tedious hours each day sitting at a microscope, using a small needle to scrape away algae from delicate baby coral that could impede their growth.

A West Central Florida resident for more than half of his life, McGirk also helped organize the planting of the aquarium’s butterfly garden at the Center for Conservation.

Award co-winner Edwin Rodriguez has been volunteering at the aquarium for more than five years, doing the dirty work of keeping the aquarium's 200,000 square feet of exhibits clean.

He spends most of his volunteer time underwater in a wetsuit scrubbing algae and other debris from the glass as inquisitive nurse sharks and manta rays circle around him.

“He comes in every week with a smile and a great attitude, and is very passionate about getting into the habitats to help keep them looking great for our guests,” said a staff member who nominated Rodriguez for the honor. “He is a firm believer in the mission of The Florida Aquarium and spreads the message to his friends and family. He is highly dedicated, helpful and intelligent, as well as a terrific person with a huge heart.”

Also recognized were 33 other volunteers who have been donating their time to the aquarium for at least 10 years, including nine people who have volunteered since the aquarium opened its doors 25 years ago: John "Al" Oaks, Barbara Shank, Lillian Kenney, Jeri Carford, Ronald Carford, Karen Curd, Patricia Hare, Tina Lewis and R. Warren Hogg.

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