A Volunteer by Heart

Posted on April 20, 2017

  vol·un·teer noun

1. a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

  It takes a special person to be a volunteer. A special person to freely offer to take part of something. In honor of National Volunteer Day, we’re aiming the spotlight on Diane who volunteers at the Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum in Rockport, along with many other things. We caught up with Diane to find out a little more about her incredible volunteerism. And trust me; it’s not an easy task getting Diane to slow down long enough to answer a few questions!  

A Quick Q&A with Diane

  Q: What is your favorite part about volunteering? A: Belonging to a community of strong, caring and committed people and developing strong and lasting friendships. Q: How long have you been volunteering at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum? A: I went to my first meeting of the Friends, Lincoln Pioneer Village and Museum Inc. in 2007. I was totally unaware of how that was going to evolve. I met Nancy Kaiser at my first meeting. We talk many times now as to how we sat through the first few meetings and smiled at each other and had no clue what was going on nor did we even know anything about each other. Here we are 10 years later and fast friends, involved not only the Lincoln Pioneer Village, but all community activities, especially those surrounding Abraham Lincoln. We experience a love for a friendship born out of commitment and trust in volunteering but also in just a general friendship that has developed and will endure forever. Q: Do you have a memory from volunteering at the village that stands out above most? A: I have two. #1. The Friends have organized a Rendezvous and Festival at the Village twice a year since 2009. We strive for various period type entertainments to entice the public. My favorite, that lasted two or three years, was our rendition of the “Young Abe Lincoln” musical written by Billy Edd Wheeler and performed at Lincoln Amphitheatre from 1987 to 2005. I was told we couldn’t perform even a rendition of the musical due to copyrights. But when I contacted Billy Edd Wheeler himself, he gave me written permission to perform our rendition of his wonderful musical. #2.  I am so proud of being president of the Friends of Lincoln Pioneer Village. Especially during the final phase and long, uphill climb to rebuild the Josiah and Elizabeth Crawford cabins. Q: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a volunteer? A: Volunteer to support and help your community to grow and evolve. Search out what might be your passion. This will keep you committed and working toward helping wherever you can be helpful. Be flexible; you are not the only one with ideas. Enjoy! It will probably be a ride you will not forget and will be part of your memory book.