Thousands of Volunteer Hours Support Us
At the 2011 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in mid-October, more than 50 volunteers for both the Cultural Center and Hawkins Preserve were recognized for their contribution of more than 5,000 hours of volunteer time. That’s 5,000 hours that kept the Gift Shop open for visitors during summer evening dances, organized art programs and exhibits, greeted tourists and locals alike with smiling faces, ran the Center between directors, maintained trails in Hawkins Preserve, opened and closed the gate to Hawkins in all kinds of weather for die-hard hikers, bikers, and dog-walkers, and other tasks that are taken for granted, by both you and me. The presence of the Cortez Cultural Center is crucial for our city, certainly, as our visitors eat and shop locally, and the presence of Hawkins Preserve allows for appreciation of natural and cultural resources right here in town. But beyond city limits, even beyond our county, there isn’t anything else quite like the Cortez Cultural Center and Hawkins Preserve. Think about it: what would this community lose if the Center or Hawkins, heaven forbid, ceased to exist? As important as the Center is to the community, the volunteers are at the center of the Center, and are vital to the community. Take the time to drop by the Cultural Center and Hawkins Preserve and thank a volunteer.
Front Row: Barb Eastin, Pat DeGagne, Beverly Lawrence, Jean Martin, Donna Wright, Lynn Gann, Lucy Hadley, LouEtta Hoover. Second Row: Barbara Jean Humbracht, Patsy Brown, Mary Franchini, Joy Lee Davidson, Byron McKelvie, Marcia Boon, Madonna Gonzales, Eleanor Kuhl, Ruth Wallace, and Mary Mack. Third Row: Glenn Denton, Bob Becker, Liz Martinez, Linda Rose, LaDean Chadwick, Pat Rauscher, Diane Cherbak, Marjorie Sell, Pauline Johnston, Sue Keagy, and Jean Nuttall. Back Row: Shawn Collins, Mitchell Toms, Larry McGee, Denis Boon, Andrew Becker, Duncan Rose, Dale Davidson, Jeannie Miles, Helen Hanson, Ardy Ptolemy, Phyllis Kemble, and Bruce Johnson. Not attending: Catherine Boyd, Anne Bremer, Karen Davis, Lan DeGeneres, Bobbie Jo Ertel, Gary and Sandy Faulstitch, Loretta Green, Pat Her5rick, Nancy Jackson, Matt Keefauver, Ruby Meredith, Linda Raczek, Shelby and Roberta Smith, Dorothy Snowball, Jodie Sutton, Joe and Susan Keck, Mike Ostrander, Dale Diede, Anne Streett-Joslin, Dave Abrams, David Faulkner, Catherine Kraus, Paul and Gaby Morey, Teraissa McGovern, and Helen Newman. The Center deeply misses Martha Becker, a long-time supporter and volunteer who passed away this year.
Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are important because they are the direct representatives to visitors to the Center. Without their help the Center could not accomplish its mission of providing education, enrichment and inter-cultural opportunities to residents and visitors. There are over 80 volunteers that support the Center.
Volunteer Opportunities:
| Gift Shop: | work with the public |
| Art Gallery: | openings and showings |
| Maintenance: | grounds, building or Hawkins Preserve |
| Office Help: | filing, mailings, database, deliveries, etc. |
| Gardening: | dance plaza area, along street and in front of building |
| Grant Writing: | any help |
| Other: | just ask! |
Call Patsy Brown at (970) 565-1151 for the Gift Shop. Call Shawn Collins for office work or grant writing. Call Pat Rauscher for special events, maintenance, gardening or Hawkins Preserve work.