Leader Of Pasco Park Volunteers Steps Down

Carl Orth/SUNCOAST NEWS

Vinny Buscetta, left, reflects and jokes about his impending retirement after 12 years with the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department as Commissioner Michael Cox presents a proclamation in his honor Tuesday.

By Carl Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: January 26, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Vinny Buscetta, the retiring volunteer coordinator for the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department, received accolades this week for more than 12 years of service.

Presenting a proclamation to Buscetta, Commissioner Michael Cox joked that he has known Buscetta so long he could remember when they both had hair.

After a long career in banking, Buscetta switched careers and joined the parks and recreation department on Nov. 13, 1995.

By 1997, Buscetta earned an Employee of the Month Award as the county's community resource coordinator, organizing an award-wining exhibit at the 1996 Florida State Fair and securing thousands of dollars worth of donated items and services, according to the proclamation.

In 2000, Buscetta earned the Outstanding Community Service Award from the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

During his tenure, Buscetta has trained more than 2,000 volunteers.

He coordinated raising some $36,000 in contributions for a special needs playground at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. He has raised additional funds to add a pavilion near the playground in the near future

Last year, Buscetta helped set up the volunteer park ranger program.

He is a current member and past president of the Holiday Rotary Club, which pulls together the annual Christmas parade in New Port Richey. He works on Chasco Fiesta events and the annual Oktoberfest.

He taught Junior Achievement programs to Hudson Middle School students for 20 years.

"Vinny has proved to be an invaluable asset by his display of loyalty as a team player and his assistance to fellow employees in his department," the proclamation from the commissioners concludes.

Buscetta said retirement plans include studying at his church, Our Lady Queen of Peace, to become a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministries provide lay-care to people in need.

In addition, Buscetta will continue his role on the advisory board of Ridgewood High, where he has served since the late 1980s. His wife, Stephanie, a media specialist at Fox Hollow Elementary School, has asked if he could pitch in as a volunteer there.

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Leader Of Pasco Park Volunteers Steps Down