Each April during National Volunteer Month, we take time to celebrate the incredible volunteers who make Washington Crossing Historic Park a truly special place. Their dedication helps us bring history to life for thousands of visitors each year—whether through special events, tours, education programs, or reenactments. There are always a few volunteers who go above and beyond in their commitment to our mission, and we’re proud to recognize them with our Volunteer Awards. These honors will be presented at our annual Volunteer Picnic in September. Join us in congratulating our 2025 award recipients!
Volunteer of the Year – Marcia Kasper
This award is typically given to the volunteer with the highest amount of hours and a few years of volunteering.
Marcia has been a dedicated volunteer and exemplary fifer in the Friends’ Fife & Drum Corps since the spring of 2022, and can reliably be seen at almost every event and weekly music practice. This past year alone, she put in 190.5 hours! Her enthusiasm has even brought her whole family along with her, and we look forward to hearing her contributions in the future.
“In April of 2022, my son, who worked at Bowman’s Tower at the time, suggested that I should consider joining the WCFD Corps after talking with Stacy Roth. Because it combined my love of playing music with my interest in the American Revolution, I took his suggestion, and the rest is history (see what I did there?)! I really enjoy being able to give those who visit the Park a look (or a listen) into the past through the music of the time, and love that I’m able to help keep history alive in my own small way. Personally, I consider myself very lucky to have found this group of people, now friends; playing in the Corps is one of my favorite things to do!”
Rising Star – Jean Kosits
This award is typically given to a new volunteer who has given significant dedication in their first or second year.
Jean Kosits became a volunteer in 2023, starting in the Hibbs House Garden before also joining the Fife & Drum as event support and all-around helper. She has dedicated many hours at the park, at living history events, garden care, and music practice, as well as various other duties as requested. Sometimes seen multiple times a week, in period dress and out, she is a consistent and welcoming friendly face. Jean has put in almost 175 hours at the site in 2024 alone.
“I started volunteering at WCHP in May 2023 after a chance meeting with Anna Davis, the park’s historical horticulturist. What I soon discovered is that the park’s programming is run by an amazing family of staff and volunteers who truly welcome and empower newcomers like me. I have been given myriad opportunities to serve the mission of the Friends of WCHP in ways that match who I am as an individual and have received so much in return with each new experience. I get to work alongside so many enthusiastic, brilliant, warm, interesting and fun people throughout the year. I am continuously grateful for all who have allowed me to join them in the cause.”
Junior Volunteer of the Year – Owen van Zelst
This award is typically given to someone under the age of 18 who has given significant contribution to the park in hours, program assistance, or years of service.
The Washington Crossing Fifes and Drums are pleased to announce that Owen Van Zelst is this year’s Junior Volunteer of the Year, recognizing his enthusiastic participation with our corps since early 2022. Owen, already a talented drummer when he joined, quickly mastered our repertoire. Despite his demanding schedule with the Council Rock North Marching Band, he marched with us in many of the Park’s special events and parades. Owen was accepted to every university he applied to and has decided to attend the University of Maine this Fall, where he can continue to pursue his passion for drumming while studying for his future career. We are rooting for him to enjoy his university experience!
“I am so honored to have been selected. When I first started volunteering for Washington Crossing Fife and Drum, I was doing it to get Learning in Neighborhood Community Service (LINCS) hours for school. After I got all 60 hours, I realized I didn’t want to stop. With the friends I’ve made along the way, and the memories I’ve created, it would be hard letting this group go.”
Outstanding Leadership – Don Becker
The Outstanding Leadership award is given to someone who has shown particular dedication and leadership at an event, program, or project.
Don Becker has been volunteering with the park for many years as a member of the artillery crew, helping to bring exciting demonstrations to many of our programs. In 2024, Don took on a more active role in leading the artillery crew, heading a training day for all the artillery volunteers, directed the crews at our Independence Day event and First Crossing, and spent many hours helping to facilitate the restoration of one of our cannons with plans to help restore the others in the near future. Don selflessly shares his knowledge with volunteers, staff, and visitors and is an asset in current and educational programs in the future.
“I started volunteering at Washington Crossing over 25 years ago, and during that time I’ve seen the park go through many changes to become what it is today. I continue to be amazed at how many visitors attend our events, and that tells me that there is still a keen interest in our history, and the way we are able to present it. I have always enjoyed educating the public about how important artillery was to the early war efforts, and everyone really enjoys seeing (and hearing!) the cannons during our demos. Volunteering at the park has allowed me to forge many lasting friendships, given me some incredible memories, and continues to motivate me to increase my knowledge of artillery so I can share that knowledge with my crew and our visitors. And speaking of crew, I am very lucky to have an amazing artillery crew to support me. We are all looking forward to participating in many more events as we get ready to celebrate the 250th!”
Outstanding Long-Term Service – Alexander “Al” Pochek (1946-2024, Presented Posthumously)
The Outstanding Long-Term Service award is presented to a person, couple, or organization who has been with the park for at least seven years.
Al was (and is) a beloved member of the re-enactment community. He traveled to many events near and far, taking wonderful photos that became sought-after and cherished by historic sites and reenactors alike. Al was a friend to many and his presence was hoped for at events large and small. Sharing his love of photography was just one way he made the world around him better. He served in the US Air Force in the Vietnam War, served in Woodbridge Township Police Dept. for 26 years, and was also a Scoutmaster with Scout Troop 41 in Avenel. His presence, sense of humor, friendly conversations, and talents live on in the hearts of many in the history community, and he will be missed dearly.
Quote from Al’s son, Robert, about his father: “I believe he first started having an interest in photography when he was in the Vietnam War immediately out of high school when he had his own spending money. He bought cheap electronic equipment when he was overseas, like reel to reel music a tape recorder, cameras, lenses, etc.
From my memories, every family vacation he documented with copious amounts of photos. For most family vacations we went to historical locations such as Williamsburg, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and, of course, many reenactments. I grew up having been to just about every Revolutionary Battle site, Presidential homes, and the like.
His calendar was filled with events that he wanted to attend; he would struggle when two events were on the same day and try to figure out which one he would have to miss. I know his favorite part of an event was meeting and talking with the re-enactors.”
