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Volunteer Spotlight – February 2019

Couples that volunteer together stay together! Each month, our volunteer committee decides on volunteers to spotlight! For February 2019, we’ve selected two couples who volunteer regularly in the spirit of Valentine’s Day.

kim-chris

Kim & Chris

Q: When did you start volunteering with ArtsQuest and why?
A: Kim started in 2000, Chris joined 3 years later when a new job was more flexible with his summer schedule. We have worked Musikfest and Christkindlmarkt ever since and added the Cafe and all festivals since the SteelStacks property and ArtsQuest building opened. Kim is going to enter into the Ambassador Program this spring. Kim started at Musikfest with her daughter Mariel (12 years old at the time) to introduce her to what volunteering is all about.

Chris joined us with our son, Patrick (when he turned 12). It was a family affair until about 2-3 years ago when the children’s careers took them a bit too far away to continue working for ArtsQuest.

Q: What volunteer opportunities are your favorite and why?
A: Chris: Anywhere I can speak with customers and help them have a good time and explain about the community and ArtsQuest.

Kim: Agreed. I really enjoy introducing new people to the Cafe and everything going on at the SteelStacks property.

Q: What’s the best part of volunteering with your spouse?
A: Chris: Having someone organize our volunteering schedule for me!

Kim: Doing something together that we both have an interest in – we meet so many great volunteers who also have the same interests and have made many friends.

Q: If you could bring one act to Musikfest or some other event, who would they be and why?
A: Chris: How about a little Lilith Fair at the Musikfest main stage. Two or three good female acts.

Kim: I love the Marc Broussard-type of music (I’ve ushered him every time!) – Gavin Degraw, James Morrison, Eric Hutchinson, Amos Lee, Ben Harper, etc. I think Rag’N’Bone Man would be a blast! Or JohnnySwim or Robert Randolph & The Family Band!

Q: What was the best gift your spouse has ever given you?
A: Chris: Aside from the kids, some wonderful times traveling.

Kim: Agreed. Plus 37+ years of fun.

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for newer volunteers?
A: Chris: It’s about showing customers a good time and tying what a wonderful thing we have with ArtsQuest in the community.

Kim: Learn about ArtsQuest and what it does for the community – everything flows from there.

rondelli

Larry & Pat

Q: When did you start volunteering with ArtsQuest and why?

A: We started volunteering at ArtsQuest the summer of 2017. We had attended Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt and frequently Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas. We realized there was a wide variety of functions/events for which we could volunteer.

Q: What volunteer opportunities are your favorite and why?

A: When we started in 2017 we kept things to a minimum. In 2018 we decided to try as many of the events as we could to see what we enjoyed the most. Surprise! We enjoyed every assignment we experienced so it’s hard to select a favorite. The best part of volunteering at ArtsQuest is getting to know both volunteers, who are the greatest, and the patrons.

Q: What’s the best part of volunteering with your spouse?

A: We work well together. We have been married 56 years. Larry calls us a “package deal”. We are not inseparable, but we enjoy working together, however, working at the same function at different assignments works just as well!

Q: If you could bring one act to Musikfest or some other event, who would they be and why?

A: Josh Groban. We saw him in the 90s ion a small theatre, Town Hall, in New York City, when he was just starting out. He has come a long way!

Q: What was the best gift your spouse has ever given you?

A: We don’t necessarily exchange gifts anymore after all these years. We come to a common agreement and our gifts are enjoying traveling together – United Kingdom, Europe & Hawaii.

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for newer volunteers?

A: We are “people” people – we enjoy working with people. Volunteer and get out and enjoy the company of others. It is the best medicine. Try out all the events. You will find enjoyment in all of them!