Virginia Living Museum recognizes 2017-18 Volunteers

By thevlm In Press Releases

Newport News, VA (August 31, 2018) – On August 17, 2018 the Virginia Living Museum held its annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet and recognized valued volunteers for special recognition including hours of service, years of service, departmental awards and the Gloria Lombardi Award. The Gloria Lombardi award acknowledges lifetime achievement and significant and sustained service to the Museum.

The Virginia Living Museum’s volunteer corps provided 40,334 service hours valued at $850,000 and was named third in the nation among like AZA institutions.

The Museum is also pleased to announce its recertification as a Service Enterprise by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, for the next three years. With this certification the Museum joins a prestigious group of non-profits who are committed to effectively delivering their missions by strategically engaging volunteer time and talent.

At this year’s Volunteer Recognition Banquet the Gloria Lombardi Award for Volunteer Excellence went to Dr. Larry Sacks. This lifetime achievement award was given in recognition of his support and loyalty to the Museum and for almost 30 years of dedicated service in many areas of the Museum.  Larry has held many volunteer positions including the Touch Tank, telescope, animal programs and serving as docent in many of the museum’s traveling exhibits.  He also was part of the volunteer fundraising committee and conducted his own live show for guests demonstrating the science of  Chemical Magic!

The Cardinal Club is a prestigious group of 12 volunteers who have reached over 5,000 hours or 20 years of service.

Dr. Sacks was recognized along with Virginia Gall for 5,500 hours of service and are members of the Cardinal Club.

Brad Halcums was inducted into the Cardinal Club with 5,000 hours of service.

Twenty-three additional Museum volunteers were also recognized for reaching service milestones in the past year. These volunteers include, Kim Becker (8,000 hours), Art Whittaker (6,500 hours), Karl Rebenstorf (4,500 hours), Vicky Lippolis and Juanita Slack (4,000 hours), Mary Dolores Ciraulo (3,500 hours), Barbara Boyer (3,000 hours), Hank Sheele, Debbie Cornier, Ros HaLevi, Nancy Finn, and Jerri Bastian (2,000 hours), Ralph “Smitty” Smith, Emili Fin, Roseann Carlson, Charlotte Boudreau, Dennis Milner and Kathryn Hamilton (1,500 hours), and Judy Molnar, Pam Goode, Cynda Carlton, Dreck Hanak, and Laura Marlowe (1,000 hours).

Volunteers at the Virginia Living Museum enhance the experience for guests, are an integral part of the staff, and enrich the lives of the animals. Volunteers keep the museum thriving, functioning and continuously growing. They give their time and talents to ensure the success of this non-profit organization and support our mission to protect what’s precious.

To join the volunteer family, register at: https://thevlm.org/join/volunteer/.