Apr
30

We can’t do it without you!

As we bring Volunteer Appreciation Month to a close, volunteer coordinators across the Smithsonian want to share a thank you of our own. We have the good fortune of working with you every day; we have the opportunity to see your dedication and generosity at every shift you work; and we see, first-hand, the incredible impact you make on the Smithsonian. We appreciate you more than we can say. Scroll through for a special thank you from each of us! We miss you!


Freer and Sackler Galleries of Art


Brooke Rosenblatt

Brooke and Amelia Rosenblatt with thank you sign

: We couldn’t do what we do without you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We miss you. Best, Brooke (and my­­­­ ‘new office-mate’ Amelia who drew this sign)
Photo Courtesy of Brooke Rosenblatt.


Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden


Rebecca Regan

Rebecca Regan's thank you sign

“Art is made by people, for people. Otherwise there is no reason for it to exist.” Taking a moment to create at my desk with this #HirshhornInsideOut Maker Morning activity inspired by the work of conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner and all of our dedicated and wonderful volunteers. Thank you for all that you do! – Rebecca Regan
Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Regan.


National Air and Space Museum


Richard Weld

Richard Weld with thank you sign

I am never so well reminded of what a privilege it is to work with such a dedicated and dynamic group of people like our volunteers as when I am unable to do so. While we are all hunkered down and riding out this pandemic, please know that all of the SI volunteer coordinators appreciate you, and we want you to be safe and well. We look forward to seeing you again when we reopen!
Photo Courtesy of Richard Weld.


National Museum of African American History and Culture


Joriee Dorman

Joriee Dorman thank you sign

Thank you for all the you do, day in and out to make NMAAHC the very best it can be! You are appreciated!
Photo Courtesy of Joriee Dorman.

Michelle Edwards

Michelle Edwards selfie

Thank you Smithsonian volunteers for your dedication and service. I look forward to seeing, sharing, and laughing with you all again soon! Michelle Edwards, NMAAHC Volunteer Coordinator.
Photo Courtesy of Michelle Edwards.

Elizabeth Herndon

Elizabeth Herndon thank you sign

Keeli and I just wanted to say thank you to all our Smithsonian Volunteers. (Keeli actually says woof but she means thank you!) We miss you! – Elizabeth Herndon, NMAAHC Visitor Services
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Herndon.

Herman Marigny

Herman Marigny with thank you sign

To Our Volunteers, Thank you!
Photo Courtesy of Herman Marigny.


National Museum of American History


Jocelyn Knauf

Jocelyn Knauf and kids with thank you signs

This volunteer appreciation month is a little bit different, so I rounded up my new coworkers and their unicorns to show our NMAH volunteers how much we appreciate them (my kids are missing the Smithsonian museum experience too)! I have loved hearing from our volunteers during this time – seeing them on a zoom get together, and getting feedback or a friendly message have been highlights of the work from home experience. Can’t wait until we can see each other in person again!
Photo Courtesy of Jocelyn Knauf.


National Museum of the American Indian


Anthony Bullard

Anthony Bullard with thank you sign

Thank you!
Photo courtesy Anthony Bullard

Jimmy Locklear

Jimmy Locklear holding thank you banner

Thank you!
Photo courtesy Jimmy Locklear

Mark Oberly

Mark Oberly with thank you sign

Thank you!
Photo courtesy Mark Oberly

Sharyl Pahe-Short

Sharyl with thank you sign

A BIG thank you!
Photo courtesy Sharyl Pahe-Short

Jose Salamanca

Jose Salamanca with thank you sign

Thank you!!! And I miss everyone!!
Photo courtesy Jose Salamanca

Ada Torres

Ada Torres with thank you sign

Thank you!
Photo courtesy Ada Torres


National Museum of Natural History


Josephine Gallagher

Josephine Gallagher with thank you sign

: Jo misses you all very much! Thank you for the amazing work that you do for NMNH and the friendliness and positivity you share with us during this time. If you miss chatting in the Volunteer Lounge, feel free to drop into the virtual hangout and say hello! – Josephine Gallagher, Volunteer Coordinator, NMNH
Photo Courtesy of Josephine Gallagher.

Lisa Porter

Lisa Porter with thank you sign

Lisa misses you all dearly! Trying to share some sunshine on a rainy day with you all. Thanks for all you do, and for your dedication to NMNH now and always. I look forward to seeing your faces on my computer each day, and even more so in person. Keep Smiling! – Lisa Marie Porter, Volunteer Manager, NMNH
Photo Courtesy of Lisa Porter.


National Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum


Elisabeth Kilday

Elisabeth Kilday with thank you sign

Since we can’t celebrate in person this April, I made a little sign to say thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers. Looking forward to seeing you all back at the museums whenever that may be!—Elisabeth Kilday
Photo Courtesy of Elisabeth Kilday.


Office of Visitor Services


Bridget Balog

Bridget with thank you sign

Thanks for all your hard work! – Bridget Balog, Visitor Services Coordinator, Public Inquiry Mail and Smithsonian Call Center, Office of Visitor Services
Photo Courtesy of Bridget Balog.

Abbey Earich

Abbey Earich and son with thank you signs

Abbey and Luka Earich celebrate all of our volunteers who donate their time and talent to the Smithsonian.
Photo Courtesy of Abbey Earich.

Savannah Loebig

Savannah Loebig with thank you sign

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month! Sending you love from myself and Titian my cat.
Photo Courtesy of Savannah Loebig.

Alexis Miller

Alexis with thank you sign

Thank you, Volunteers! We appreciate everything you do and look forward to seeing you soon. I hope you’ve enjoyed our virtual celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month here, on Volunteer Voices! – Alexis Miller, Office of Visitor Services
Photo Courtesy of Alexis Miller

Chad Rabago

Chad Rabago with cross-stiched thank you sign

Thank you for all of your service despite the unexpected “stitch-uation” we’re in! Hope to see you all soon!
Photo Courtesy of Chad Rabago.


Renwick Gallery


Rebecca Sullesta

Thank you sign from Rebecca Sullesta

Thank you to all the volunteers at the Renwick Gallery! Your work is so important. We hope to see you all when things improve. Best wishes, Rebecca and the entire Renwick staff. (Photo courtesy Rebecca Sullesta)


Smithsonian Environmental Research Center


SERC Education Team

SERC team with thank you signs

We miss all you dear volunteers so much. This is the time that all of our volunteer programs at SERC would be picking up – the school programs, the fieldwork, the laughs, the additions to the quote wall, so it has been especially sad. However, not even a pandemic could stop your dedication to SERC and to the entire Smithsonian. We still hear from you every day with ideas, ways you can still help our programs and serve our audiences, updates on SERC projects you are working on. And we hope you know how much we appreciate you every day, and especially now. Stay healthy, stay kind, stay you! – Karen, Cosette, Jillie, Elana, and Ayia (SERC Education)
Photo courtesy the SERC Education team


Smithsonian Transcription Center


Caitlin Haynes

Caitlin Haynes with thank you sign

This month Transcription Center digital “volunpeers” have been busier than ever – helping to make our historic collections more accessible for everyone around the world. We are always amazed and humbled by this hard work and dedication, but your enthusiasm has been especially wonderful during this difficult time. It’s your activity online in TC that ensures we can all experience the joy and wonder of the Smithsonian from home. So, from all of us in the Transcription Center, thank you, volunpeers!! -Caitlin, TC Coordinator
Photo Courtesy Caitlin Haynes


Posted: 30 April 2020
About the Author:

Alexis manages the volunteer corps at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Prior to her current position, she worked for the Smithsonian Office of Visitor Services and Volunteer Management (OVS) and oversaw the Volunteer Voices blog!

2 Responses to We can’t do it without you!
    • Alexis Miller
    • Hi Pereta, Thanks for your comment! We’re happy that you enjoy your volunteering. Thank you for all that you do for the Smithsonian. We hope to see you soon when we reopen!

    • pereta rodriguez
    • I appreciate the acknowledgement. I gain as much as I give by working at the NYC Museum. It’s wonderful and the volunteers as well as staff I work with are fabulous. Pereta Rodriguez