Volunteer Special Events

During 2007 the Western Reserve Historical Society benefitted from the service of over 700 people through volunteer service. What does this mean? 30,000 hours of time was contributed.

Jim Brennan is a part of the Crawford Volunteers who have spent countless Wednesday evenings working on cars, helping at the 2006 Auto Show, and other special events. He has also traveled with the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum to local and out of state events. Jim also was at the Concours d’Elegance on Hilton Head Island and his skills and talent was of help to not only the Crawford display but he helped others with their collections pieces. Jim and the rest of the Crawford Volunteers contributed 6500 hours during 2007.

Andy Banks, Hale Farm & Village volunteer, alone gave 190 hours during 2007. Andy put on a costume and helped with Underground Railroad Programs, with interpretation every Sunday during the summer months, and he was present at all of Hale’s special events! Andy has been a spectacular volunteer for two years at Hale Farm and a welcomed member of the HFV family. Alongside Andy 268 other volunteers gave 7400 hours to Hale Farm, assisting with programs, interpretation, grounds work and behind-the-scenes work.

The Library is a great place to see volunteers in action. Nancy Leinweber, the Library 2007 Volunteer of the Year recipient, is ever present on her regular Wednesdays, for Genealogy programs and at special event programs for the Library. Nancy’s help in the reference division has been amazing! Nancy has been a dedicated volunteer for many years and this year has been a part of the 4000 hours of time given to the Library. The Library also benefitted from interns contributing 2800 hours of time.

Rev’d Up is a retiree volunteer group from the Eaton Corporation that has been working with the Western Reserve Historical Society for four years. Every spring Eaton’s retirees come to the Historical Society and help with grounds work, mailings, sewing projects, house cleaning at Hale Farm, fence painting and program material maintenance. In four short hours at East Boulevard 55 people gave time totaling 220 hours of help. It was the Eaton Rev’d Up Volunteers that spruced up our Reinberger exterior entrance. We look forward to working with the Eaton Rev’d Up program for years to come!

The Hanna Garden has a welcomed and truly dedicated volunteer. Louise Gerlak has been overseeing the floral beds and maintenance in the Hanna Garden for just over a year. Through her efforts Hanna garden weddings are lovelier, flowers are planted in rainbow hues and the garden has never looked more beautiful. Louise is out in the garden rain or shine and has made a difference in the visitor experience.

This is just a sample of the dedicated core of volunteers that work for the Western Reserve Historical Society. Volunteers also help in our Education Department, Institutional Advancement Department, History Museum, Hale Farm & Village, the WRHS Properties, the Archives Library, Museum Stores and many other areas! We are in debt to our volunteers for their service and their dedication to the Western Reserve Historical Society. Thank you.

If you are interested in joining this dedicated group of volunteers, contact Becky Carlino, Director of Volunteer & Visitor Service at bcarlino@wrhs.org.

East Boulevard Help Needed

Visitor Services volunteers, a new program! Volunteers are needed to help us with receptionist duties, answering phones, and as gallery docents. Contact Becky Carlino, Volunteer Coordinator at bcarlino@wrhs.org for more details.

2008 Opportunity! Crawford's Pit Crew

Crawford's Pit Crew The staff and volunteers of Crawford Auto Aviation Museum have found a great deal of merit in the old saying “experience is the best teacher”. With this in mind, we have developed a three part program of education, mentorship, and service that will prepare participants to adapt scientific, technological, and engineering advances to meet today’s exciting challenges in antique and classic autos and airplane restoration and preservation. The “hands on” program is composed of theory blended with practice and is for those interested in learning and working on classic automobiles found within the Crawford’s rolling stock ranging from classics to modern day racing cars.

Click Here to view Pit Crew brochure and Application!

For more details about any of these events please contact Becky Carlino, Volunteer Coordinator for the Western Reserve Historical Society at bcarlino@wrhs.org or by phone: 216-721-5722 ext. 274.