Join me in thanking our volunteers for all that they do

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, so let me be the first to show my appreciation for the wonderful volunteers who add so much to the Smithsonian community and make everything we do possible. I am struck by your continued commitment as volunteers, the purest form of giving there is. Volunteers embody the spirit of service that lies at the heart of the Smithsonian.

We have endured challenging and uncertain times in the past and in recent years.  We remain steadfast in our mission to bring history, science, education, research, and the arts to all Americans.  Our work will be shaped by the best scholarship, to help the American public better understand our nation’s history, challenges and triumphs.  As always, you as volunteers play a key role in that work, bringing your boundless enthusiasm, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the Smithsonian’s mission. I cannot thank you enough.

Next year is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking the founding of our country. I envision this milestone not just as a celebration, but also as a moment of transformation for the Smithsonian, a chance to be more digital, more connected, more effective. All of you—from Smithsonian Ambassadors to NZCBI Keeper Aides, Participatory Scientists to Call Center Volunteers, Digital Volunteers to Docents—play a crucial role in the Smithsonian’s goal of being the Institution the nation needs and deserves.

Our volunteers come from all different backgrounds, representing a wide range of ages and disparate interests. As a group, though, you share a passion for the Smithsonian and an eagerness to donate your time to this 178-year-old museum, education, and research complex that serves the American people and citizens of the world.

The work you do individually and that the Smithsonian does collectively is more important than ever. I believe the Smithsonian, with its unique educational, scholarly, and scientific resources, is part of the glue that holds the nation together. At our best, we define reality and give hope. Thanks to you, we will be an Institution that gives back for the next century and beyond.