Commission proclaims April Volunteer Month; flags Celebrate Trails Day for April 25

Flagler County commissioners adopted two proclamations recognizing local volunteerism and promoting trails.

Commissioner Hansen read a proclamation designating April 2026 as Volunteer Month in Flagler County, citing volunteer contributions across nonprofit and county services. Susie Gamblane, executive director of Flagler Volunteer Services, told the board that 1,391 volunteers reported 79,299 hours of service last year and that the independent-sector valuation of those hours is approximately $2,758,812 (she also provided a minimum-wage estimate of $1,110,186). Gamblane described programs including AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP, Reading Pals (literacy mentoring), the Giving Store holiday program, Blanketiers and disaster-response training; she invited commissioners and the public to a disaster preparedness breakfast on May 15 at the Palm Coast Community Center.

The board also read and approved a proclamation designating April 25, 2026 as Celebrate Trails Day; Tourism Development Director Amy Lukasik described a Waterfront Park event (April 25, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.) with guided walks, a butterfly release, a trail-mix bar, safety information and food trucks. Lukasik said the county’s trail guide and flyers were available for attendees.

Both proclamations passed without objection; commissioners posed no substantive questions and took photos with honorees.