On July 8th, the “Thursday Afternoon” volunteer crew came together with friends, family, and staff to celebrate their service and dedication to the Virginia Living Museum. The Museum was delighted to honor Dan Toothman (15 years, 3103 hours of service), Helen Bates (24 years, 3465 hours of service), and Virginia Gall (27 years, 5859 hours of service) for their retirement with a ceremony unveiling their dedicated pilings on the outdoor trail boardwalk. Emotions ran high as the honorees reflected on their beginnings in the original museum building, and the positive impact they had on guests.
Past President of the Board at the Virginia Living Museum, Karen Velkey said, “Ever since my kids were little (my oldest is 21), we would come here and see Ms. Virginia. She was at the touch pool a lot…I would also see Ms. Virginia on her walk every day as she would pick up trash in the neighborhood… My kids to this day bring home trash every time they come outside and put it in the garbage can.” As Virginia puts it, “One person can make a difference. Volunteering makes the city better and it helps the volunteers become bigger and better people themselves.”
“I think I started out probably working at the Touch Pool in the old building… And then later, I went to the outdoor trail,” Helen said when talking about her experience as a volunteer. Volunteers on the Virginia Living Museum Outdoor Trail educate guests about the animals found there, their habitats, and behaviors.
Dan Toothman described his most memorable experience volunteering on the outdoor trail, interacting with a young guest with autism. “So, when I found out that this young man was autistic, I asked his mother if I could take him by the hand and teach him about some of the animals. And we came up to the red fox and I kept it really very simple and I could tell that he understood what I was saying. And then we went to the coyotes. And I felt that then we had reached his limitation and I’ll let them go on around without me. Well then I told them before they left me though that ‘hey I’m here every Thursday if you want to come back’. And they did, next Thursday, they came back and [the child] took me by the hand and then we walked. And then, the next week, I was out on the trail… as I saw them coming I turned and walked towards them. [The child] breaks out into a dead run, and he runs up to me, throws his arms around me, and gives me a big hug. His mother came up, I was bawling like a baby… what we give the community is matched by what they give us.”
The volunteers that work at the Virginia Living Museum are passionate, unique, impactful and dedicated. They are on the floor engaging with the public, providing educational experiences at the touch pool, and supporting after-hours events. Volunteers know that they have made an impact on a visiting family’s life, whether that is from taking extra time to guide, offering a smile and a friendly face, or even a simple door hold. There are many volunteer experiences available at the Virginia Living Museum for all ages. To learn more, visit https://thevlm.org/join/volunteer/.
The Virginia Living Museum is a leader in natural living exhibits! Native Virginia mammals, plants, marine life, reptiles, amphibians, and birds are presented and honored for their ability to connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Museum is a successful public/private partnership with the City of Newport News and all guests. Accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum’s high standards are its hallmark, as only fourteen institutions share this designation in the country. It is a certified Virginia Green attraction dedicated to environmentally friendly practices. Located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News (I-64, exit 258-A) it is open 9 to 5 daily. Learn more at thevlm.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or call 757-595-1900
