It’s an honor to recognize someone who has been involved in the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts for a good part of his adult life, someone who has made a difference.
Jeffrey Gamelli is a jack-of-all trades guy, as far as his club is concerned, holding several positions as an officer for many years, volunteering for a just about every function and often taking the lead in major fundraising. He is involved in every aspect of the club’s business.
Jeff has been a proponent of the Knox Trail Sno-Riders’ charity efforts and a key player in the club’s positive relationship with the town government, landowners and state legislators.
He knows how to get things done, including managing RTP grants that benefit the trail system that we all enjoy. It’s been said that he is like a dog on a bone when it comes to moving a project forward.
His work within the association is well documented, as a delegate, promoter of the Sled Expo, safety instructor, and he even served as SAM’s vice president.
It is a great honor to present the 2014 Snowmobiler of the Year to Jeff Gamelli of the Knox Trail Sno-Riders.
Details from the nomination:
Jeff has been a board of director of the Knox Trail Sno-Riders for over 20 years. He is the current president holding this position for the past five years. He has served as vice president Club for 4 years. He also held the position of vice president of SAM for several years. He also serves as SAM delegate alternate for the club.
Jeff is also Troop 6 assistant scout leader for the Boy Scouts of America
One of Jeff’s many duties is awarding the prizes at our fundraising events. Jeff is an active volunteer in all of our events. The most recent was the Poker Run held in February this year. Even though the day was bitter cold, he was there to setup, oversee the registrants, help with cooking and refreshments, and at the end of the day presented the prizes.
During our annual raffle drawing at a local restaurant this past December, Jeff had the honor of awarding the raffle prize, a new snowmobile, to Al Goia. This fundraiser included a 50/50 raffle, several door prizes. The dinner dance was attended by over 120 paid quests.
Under Jeff’s leadership the club has made donations to Toys for Tots, Breast Cancer Awareness, the Otis Fire Department and Otis Ambulance.
During our Vintage Sled and Farm Tractor swap meet show we raised funds to domate to the March of Dimes.
Jeff is involved in every aspect of running monthly meeting, assisting the treasurer, selling SAM trail passes and keeping vendors stocked. Conducting land owner meetings to secure trail permission.
He keeps the board of directors well informed of the club objectives and goals, is involved in the club purchasing equipment and trail signs. He works with the club media director on the club web site, and is involved in grooming trails, signing and fixing groomers.
He attends SAM meeting and works with neighboring clubs and DCR State forest supervisors.
He fills out the application for RTP Trail Grants with DCR.
He promotes snowmobiling by having Trail passes and trail maps on him when visiting businesses in MA, Ct, NY, and VT.
He communicates with local legislators about the mission of the club and SAM. Creating an awareness with local media about the activities for the season promoting the family sport.
Jeff works at our club booth at events and SAM’s Sled Expo. He has submitted applications for the SAM Youth Ride and SAM’s Vintage Ride.
Other points about Jeff:
He is a certified snowmobile safety instructor.
Has worked on the state-wide snowmobile map.
Working with NPS,AMC,DCR,MA DOT,to develop permanent access for ITS 95 across the AT and MA Turnpike at the Lee, Becket, Tyingham line.
Helped develop SAM’s Sled Expo back in its infancy.
Was part of the first snowmobile booth at the Big E.
Local parade snowmobile club float.
MA DOT Adopt Highway litter pickup.
Izaac Walton League public ball fields and buildings rehabilitation.
Worked with Otis Historical Committee regarding the Knox Trail federal designation.
Gave away live Christmas trees from his property in Canada to local needy families.
A member of a local Elks Club.
A committee member to study open space in Otis.
Jeff has never missed a snowmobile season for over last 52 years and still has his first snowmobile, a 1966 Ski-Doo
He loves the outdoors, bird watching, boating, fishing and ice fishing, hunting, wilderness sightseeing. He once played hockey and often went down hill skiing.
He has attended several ISC’s, including Sturbridge.
He’s the owner of several vintage and antique snowmobiles and even has a couple Ski-Cabooses.
Jeff has worked in several public service capacities, including law enforcement, which involved enforcing snowmobile laws, as a firefighter, EMT, E-911 dispatcher, park ranger and environmental educator.
In addition to snowmobiling extensively all over Massachusetts, Jeff has snowmobile in Canada’s East and West Provinces, and Wyoming, Maine, NY, NH, and VT.
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