National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

By Carol Raymond

April 21 – 27 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Here at the Science Center, volunteers are enormously important in almost all that we do. Our volunteer team is wonderful! We are very thankful that so many members of the community show their passion and love for the Science Center by donating their valuable time to help us. Volunteers greet and help direct visitors as they walk along the Gephart Exhibit Trail. Docents and teen First Guides are a presence on the trail often with a live animal or animal artifacts sharing information about ecology. And volunteers assist with activities at special events. School children meet volunteers who are trained to lead programs and assist Naturalists on and off campus. Volunteer docents present artifacts and information at Discovery Tables at many local fairs and events. Behind the scenes, many helping hands assist with animal care, mailings, planning, office tasks, trail, exhibit, and maintenance needs, media research, and more. Lots more!

In 2012, 392 volunteers donated over 8,900 hours of service. Even more than what they do, volunteers add their spirit of dedication, enthusiasm, and joy. In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Week, the Science Center staff would like to give a huge Thank You to our incredible volunteer team!