This story is part of the Arts and Culture Reporting Corps, sponsored by the Springfield Regional Arts Council.
The arts and culture events that our community is known for — big and small — rely upon volunteers to keep them running. While some volunteers are the deserving recipients of grateful applause, the efforts of many go unnoticed because their tireless work happens behind the scenes.
This year, the Springfield Regional Arts Council’s Ozzie Awards are paying special recognition to three individuals chosen from community nominations for Volunteer of the Year.
The winner will be announced at the Oct. 14 event at Springfield-Branson National Airport, alongside awards given for Arts Champion, Arts Ambassador, Excellence in Arts Education and the Bucky Bowman Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing Randy Russell.
Get to know a little about this year’s Volunteer of the Year nominees — Donald Smith, Genevieve Kroenke and Larry Askren — in their own words.
Donald Smith
A retired educator with 45 years in the classroom, Donald Smith now dedicates his time as Education Specialist at the History Museum on the Square, helping to educate visitors of all ages. He’s done 30-plus school outreach programs in the past year, while also assisting with school field trips to the museum.
At the next local parade, you might also spot Smith in his ‘59 Thunderbird sporting a History Museum logo.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about volunteering?
D.S.: Everything! To be able to present our unique history and culture to our visitors, who come from all over the world, is a wonderful and fulfilling experience.
Seeing children smile and their faces light up with curiosity and excitement as they explore our colorful and interactive galleries is priceless.”
Q: How does your volunteer work contribute to the strength of the arts community?
D.S.: Our community and area present a brilliant kaleidoscope of the arts. Multiple colors in different hues and tones are shown throughout our area: dance, music, art, literature, media, theater, nature and much more — all illuminating and enhancing our culture and heritage.
What museum volunteers do in our community is to bring that colorful light of the arts to people in a meaningful and personal way. I am just one of many who use their passion, personalities and their time and talents to help showcase what Springfield and our area has to offer.”
Genevieve Kroenke
Genevieve Kroenke is a Springfield Public Schools art teacher who volunteers her time outside the classroom as a visual art educator, including monthly art workshops with residents at Harmony House and a summer art therapy camp for refugees from the Congo and Afghanistan.
Kroenke brings kindness and empathy to the therapeutic art experiences she facilitates — along with a car full of supplies for projects in a variety of mediums.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about volunteering?
G.K.: When I was a child my four siblings, me and my mom had to stay in a shelter similar to Harmony House for many months. I feel like I’m giving back to those moms like my mom and to those children like my siblings and myself. I see them and their stories in a little bit of a different lens. I love listening to them and helping them gain confidence not just in creating but in being themselves.
Q: How does your volunteer work contribute to the strength of the arts community?
G.K.: I hope that I’m instilling a love for art in children and adults, one they will take with them into the community and maybe someday give back just as I do. Art is a universal language; it doesn’t matter your economic status, your age, ethnicity, or where you are emotionally. Art can speak to everyone and can give those without hope the hope they need.
Larry Askren
Larry Askren is nominated for his volunteer work with several area organizations. As a regular Artsfest volunteer, he’s described as the first to jump in and manage event trash, driving a golf cart to empty bins even, on the hottest days, and staying until the bitter end. It’s hard to think of a more thankless but absolutely essential job at a local festival.
Askren has given 100-plus hours this year to installing and maintaining sculptures for Sculpture Walk Springfield. He’s also had a hand in designing and building original installations for the Discovery Center and Springfield Community Gardens.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about volunteering?
L.A.: Seeing people smile and enjoying the act of creation, and making something that helps others to be inspired and create. I am humbled in knowing that the small but consistent acts of service such as picking up trash can make a huge difference in the big picture and make our local community spaces more enjoyable.
Q: How does your volunteer work contribute to the strength of the arts community?
L.A.: Employees of our local nonprofit arts organizations are often overworked and undercompensated. Most project budgets are often non-existent and timelines are tight, but the work that they do is vital in making Springfield a great place to live. I'm happy to volunteer my time and talent to solve their challenges in any small way I can.
Want to go?
Tickets are still available for the 38th Ozzie Awards. Experience a fun and fancy night out celebrating Springfield’s arts community. Visit the SRAC website to purchase tickets.
