The Alaska Miner Winter 2025 32 Presented by Lisa Cassino It is my pleasure to present this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award. I was honored to submit the nomination for this individual for the AMA Volunteer of the Year Award. She has been a dedicated and active participant in the Alaska Miners Association since she and her husband returned to Alaska from Vancouver. From the moment she reentered Alaska’s mining industry, she has been involved in a range of events and initiatives, consistently demonstrating her commitment to AMA’s mission and membership. This person is known for her willingness to contribute fresh ideas, always offering her support and unique perspective to ensure the success of every event she’s part of. This year, she took on the organization and execution of the 2024 Fairbanks Conference Core Shack and Prospectors Tent, transforming it into a standout event with a happy hour and even a foot massager for attendees— an addition that boosted both attendance and enthusiasm. She has not only proposed themes for the last two conventions in both Fairbanks and Anchorage, but she also volunteered to host Anchorage’s Core Shack, initiated the first-ever “Rock Fight” event, and has invigorated this year’s Young Professionals evening. Her involvement has been instrumental in the success of the Young Professionals events since their inception three years ago. Her commitment is so strong that she even traveled to Alaska specifically to attend AMA’s pre-Convention planning meeting. Beyond convention events, she has been a pivotal part of the Fairbanks branch. She has organized numerous branch BBQs and events, assisted her husband, the Fairbanks Branch Chair, in hosting meetings, and even captained the motorcoaches transporting members from Fairbanks to Healy for Alaska Mining Day. Her proactive approach is evident in her actions — she’s always the first to ask where help is needed, reaching out with new ideas, and offering resources, like providing AMA staff with a place to stay in Fairbanks. She is a consistent source of positivity and is genuinely dedicated to AMA’s growth and vibrancy. She attends nearly every AMA event, from the Juneau Mining Forum and Alaska Mining Day to the conventions and industry gatherings like Roundup, prioritizing AMA and its mission. I am grateful for her unwavering support and the brightness she brings to AMA’s events, committees, and the entire association. Vanessa Larimer’s dedication and enthusiasm make her an invaluable part of AMA, and I am thrilled to recognize her contributions through this nomination. Vanessa Larimer, Volunteer of the Year Award
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