WILLIAM E. SMITH
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
William E. Smith
March 12, 1957 - January 30, 2000
Bill Smith was a Co-founder of the Central Jersey Limbhangers Chapter of the NWTF. An avid turkey
hunter and conservationist, he served as Banquet Chairman, Vice-President and member of the the
New Jersey State Chapter, NWTF Board of Directors.
He is remembered well by those who knew and loved him. The following exerpt is from the
Central Jersey Limbhangers Banquet Program from 2000:
This year's banquet is being dedicated to Bill, one of the founders of this chapter.
He was this year's Banquet Chairman and Vice President, as well as a member of the State Board
of the National Wild Turkey Federation, who recently passed away. His memories will always
be with all of those who knew him. His love of the outdoors, his family, and his cause towards
helping others will always be remembered. The hard work and dedication that he has put forth
with everyting that he was involved with will not go un-noticed. We as a whole will try to continue
in his footsteps towards the continued support of this cause, and what he felt so strongly
about, the restoration and conservation of the Native Wild Turkey. MAY HE REST IN PEACE!
THE AWARD
The William E. Smith Award is presented annually to the outstanding volunteer in New Jersey.
The award consists of an engraved trophy, a plaque, and a turkey gun. The winner gets to
keep the plaque and gun, but the trophy, which is engraved with all winners' names, is presented
to the next winner at the next Awards Banquet
The Trophy consists of a silver bowl sitting on a square walnut pedastal. Panels on the
pedastal are engraved with the recipients name and the year of the award. The
bowl on the trophy is engraved:
William E. Smith Conservation Award
In Recognition of His Dedication to the Conservation of the Wild Turkey
Demonstrated by His Legacy of Outstanding Leadership, and Service
The New Jersey State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation<
Hereby Dedicates This Conservation Award in Memory of
William E. Smith
To The Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Who Best Demonstrated These Commendable Qualities
THE RECIPIENTS
2003
SCOTT E. HILL
Scott has served on the New Jersey State Board of Directors for a number of years as the Treasurer was just named the
NJ State Chapter. Board of Directors President. Scott is also the Treasurer for the Highlands Chapter.
Scott has distinguished him self as a member at both the local and state levels within the NWTF. As a founding
member of the Highlands Chapter, he has been involved with the NWTF for almost ten years now and has been serving on the
State Board for more than Five Years. As the New Jersey NWTF District Director, Scott works closely with the Regional Director
and the local chapters to ensure the success of their events. He not only attends and helps to set up their events, he
participates in raffles and the auctions helping to ensure the financial success of each local chapter's event.
For the year 2003, the New Jersey State Board of
Directors is proud to recognize his outstanding contributions to wild turkey conservation and
award Scott E. Hill, the William E. Smith Conservation Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
2002
JULIO SANTIAGO
Julio has been active at the local and state level for more than Five Years. He is the founding
president of the Central Jersey Limbhangers and is on the State Board of Directors. He has
worked tirelessly to make his and many other chapters' banquets a success.
In addition to supporting banquet activites, Julio worked for the success of the NWTF in New Jersey
by setting up and participating in tree planting at Assunpink WMA,
organizing and running multiple Jakes Events, and promoting the NWTF wherever he goes.
For the year 2002, the New Jersey State Board of
Directors was proud to recognize his outstanding contributions to wild turkey conservation and
award Julio Santiago, the William E. Smith Conservation Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
2001
CHRISTIAN N. KARINJA
Chris is an oustanding volunteer for both the NWTF and the New Jersey State Board of Directors.
He was a co-founder of the Highlands Chapter in 1996 and became Banquet Chairman in 1997.
Iniitally a regular member, he quickly chose to become a sponsor and is now a Diamond Life Member
of the NWTF. He has been a State Board Member since 1997 and for the last few years he has served
as the President of the State Board of Directors.
In his role as Banquet Chairman, he has helped to build the Highlands Chapter into a huge success
and has helped them achieve 'Golden Gobbler' Status for the past five years. As President of the
State Board of Directors, he established the Awards Banquet in order to promote the local chapters
and to recognize their achievements in the NWTF. Chris has also worked tirelessly to help all the
New Jersey Chapters by participating in and helping out at their banquets.
For the year 2001, the New Jersey State Board of
Directors was proud to recognize his outstanding contributions to wild turkey conservation and
award Chris Karinja, the William E. Smith Conservation Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
2000
Lee Widjeskog
Lee Widjeskog was the initial winner of this special award. As a volunteer and professional
conserationist, Lee has done extensive work with the South Jersey Chapter to promote the
restoration and conservation of the wild turkey in New Jersey.
The New Jersey State Board of
Directors was proud to recognize his outstanding contributions to wild turkey conservation and
award Lee, the William E. Smith Conservation Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
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