Pamela Vorachek, Executive Director of A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
and John McDonald, McDonald Orthodontics
A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village recently announced the Great Friends to Kids, President’s and Volunteer of the Year Award winners at the museum’s annual fundraiser, Discover the Wonder on February 17.
John McDonald, of McDonald Orthodontics and prior museum board member, accepted the Great Friends to Kids Award in the business category. McDonald Orthodontics has generously supported the Village both as a sponsor and as a donor for many years. McDonald supports many other organizations as well, including The Boys and Girls Club, Easter Seals, Keizer Parks Foundation, Kroc Center, Salem-Keizer public and private schools, youth sports clubs and the Salem Youth Symphony Association.
The Great Friends to Kids Award in the individual category was awarded to Barb Crothers. Instrumental in organizing the museum’s annual Garden Tour & Plant Sale every June, Crothers has been involved with this event for the past 10 years. Now in its 17th year, Crothers is again dedicating her time and energy to this major fundraiser for the Village.
“Barb has changed the way we do things at the plant sale by bringing in vendors. Rarely taking a break, Barb assists with the supervision of volunteers and she is the "go to" person for plant related questions,” explains Pamela Vorachek, Executive Director of A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village.
Karla Canida, Employment Specialist for the Salem/Keizer Public Schools Community Transition Program, accepted the President’s Award on behalf of the Community Transition Program. ”The Employability Training Program of the Salem/Keizer School district helps teach important life and employment skills to students ages 16-21, with varying degrees of learning disabilities,” explains Canida. “Students have been coming to the Village early Monday mornings since 2000 to assist us in cleaning and once a month to help us clean the Bubble Room floor. The student helpers make a huge difference in the cleanliness of the Village,” states Vorachek.
The Village handed out two awards for Volunteer of the Year to individuals who made significant volunteer contributions.
The first went to Kathryn Mabey who has volunteered a total of 310 hours at the museum, 48 of which were in 2011. “Kathryn has been a terrific summer camp and workshop volunteer who has helped out with numerous events. She has also served through her Girl Scout troop to clean up the facility and as a scribe at Board meetings,” says Vorachek.
Timothy Mabey also received the Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding dedication through volunteer efforts at the Village. In 2011, Mabey volunteered a total of 71 hours. His total for the last six years amounts to 432.9 hours. Described as an outstanding volunteer in many capacities, including helping with camps and events, his biggest service was as a morning facilities volunteer. “Every Monday morning, for the last 6 years, Timothy made sure the museum was looking good and ready go to for guests,” explains Vorachek. Mabey will be heading to college in the fall.
A.C Gilbert’s Discovery Village offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups. The children’s museum will celebrate (April 15–21) with a Volunteer Social on Sunday, April 15, 1–3 p.m. On April 16, from noon–2 p.m. the Village will host a “Learn about Volunteering” class.
For more information on volunteer opportunities, call 503-371-3631.
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