This month, we’re proud to spotlight Donna Passno. Donna is known for her incredible flexibility and willingness to volunteer for nearly any event or shift. She is a familiar face at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, where she regularly volunteers on Wednesdays. Last year, Donna was one of the few volunteers who volunteered all 11 days of Musikfest, and she plans to do it again this year. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and passion for service make her a truly deserving Volunteer Spotlight honoree.
What is a hobby or interest you have that other volunteers would be surprised to learn about you?
I love having an active lifestyle and my hobbies include hiking, walking, kayaking, whitewater, skiing and many other activities. Exercise is FUN for me. I was so lucky to be skiing this year for a personal record of 51 days at my home mountain in the Poconos all the way until May 1st! I also recently started hiking more sections of the Pa Appalachian Trail. My husband, and sometimes our kids come along on our excursions, so we share our passion for the outdoors.
Travelling is a priority. I recently completed a trip to Yellowstone (after ski season) and last year I did my dream trip to Hawaii upon retirement.
If you could choose any artist to headline the Wind Creek Steel Stage at Musikfest, anytime past or present, and money is no object, who would you want to see?
Would love to see the Rolling Stones again. I do regret never seeing Michael Jackson perform. Being realistic though, maybe Lenny Kravitz or John Fogarty on the Steel Stage?
What is your favorite part of volunteering with us at ArtsQuest? Do you have any favorite memories or experiences?
I had such a great memory during Musikfest 2025. For reference I did volunteer for ArtsQuest all 11 days, but this occurred while I was volunteering with LVH (Lehigh Valley Hosp) in the Health Tent.
While in the Health Tent, I was accompanied by 2 nurses from LVH, they were not volunteers. During our shift so many ArtsQuest volunteers, Ambassadors, House Managers and site supervisors came by. Lots of chats, stories, and laughs were shared. This happened over and over again for hours. And then…….one of those same ArtsQuest volunteers returned to us about half an hour later. He sat his bag down on our table, and one at a time he lifted an iced Dunkin coffee out and handed one to each of us! He said it’s his way of saying thanks for what we do and we needed it on a hot day.
Anyway, these nurses were amazed how many volunteers ArtsQuest has, their friendliness, kindness, and their dedication. It is as if all of us have been friends a long time. The nurses both plan to soon become ArtsQuest volunteers from what they experienced that day.
And this is also what I enjoy about volunteering here: the friendships, the caring, kind and selfless acts, and a shared commitment to make lives better. I am so proud to volunteer with such an outstanding group
