Volunteer Appreciation

April 19th-25th is Volunteer Appreciation Week! Help us show some love to everyone behind the scenes helping SCF's long-term impact! Volunteers, Board members, educators, retirees, naval meteorologists, caterers, musicians, dancers, we could go on - they all dedicate their time and talents to bringing the arts to our youth and community. Now, we're shouting out one of our longest volunteers, Sue Ellen Teach, who has been helping the Foundation for almost 20 years!

Sue Ellen retired from teaching over 22 years ago. A friend of hers got her to sign up as a volunteer at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts during student visits to the building. Hundreds of children were brought in by the busload to see live performances, growing to thousands over the years! Sue Ellen got to see it all in action.

She soon spoke with Annie Sandler, who asked her to be on the Sandler Center Foundation's Education Committee. The Committee, made up of members from the community with a passion for learning and engagement, met once a month to make selections for student matinees. We owe them a huge THANK YOU for making live theater accessible to children across the city.

One of Sue Ellen's favorite projects in the early days of the Foundation was receiving feedback from kids who attended the matinees. The Education Committee asked students to create drawings, which were then turned into thank-you cards. It was a fun way to get them and their families involved.

This idea largely inspired our recent "Spruce Up For Spring" coloring contest! Read the full story here.

Sue Ellen stays active with SCF, helping select Virtual Academy performances that reach students throughout Southeast Virginia. She continues her community involvement, too; there's not a day when she isn't out and about! From the Jewish Family Service who contributes Christmas boxes for their clientele, to being active in Senior Social clubs, she gives much of herself to local organizations. She says, "The more you have people involved, the more they give."

Thank you, Sue Ellen! And thank you to all our amazing volunteers who give their time, resources, and dedication to supporting our mission. Learn more about how you can help us make an impact.