Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden is the product of more than 30 years of restoration and development to convert a 19th century home for retired seamen to a regional arts center housing a myriad of museum and arts programs as well as an active Artist-on-Site program.
It is the largest ongoing adaptive reuse project in America and is considered one of New York City’s unique architectural complexes and historic landscapes. The 83-acre property is home to New York City’s first designated landmarks, which are considered the finest example of Greek revival architecture in America. Principal among the historical structures is the Greek Revival Music Hall. The second oldest music hall in New York City, this structure is an architectural gem and the centerpiece for the performing arts in Snug Harbor.
Surrounded by a tall iron fence, shaded by century-old Norwegian maples and Austrian pines, Snug Harbor is not only one of the most architecturally and historically significant sites in the country, it is a place where history, architecture, the visual and performing arts, environmental science and education all come together to provide a rich and powerful learning experience for audiences young and old. Snug Harbor is a distinguished Smithsonian Affiliate.
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Today, our VolunteerSpotlight shines on Kim Pinto, Volunteer and Education Coordinator for Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens. Kim uses VolunteerSpot to coordinate their many volunteers.
Please tell us about your organization and your volunteer needs.
There are many opportunities to volunteer at Snug Harbor all year long. We are looking for people of all ages and all skill sets. With a campus so big and with so much going on, there is always something for volunteers to do. Using the site VolunteerSpot, we are able to get the information to volunteers in an easy to read (and even easier to sign up!) format. All we need is an e-mail address. Just send an e-mail to Kim Pinto, Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected] and tell her you are interested in being added to the volunteer list.
Throughout the year, we need volunteers for the following locations/events:
- Administration Building
- Campus-wide Special Events
- Education Programs
- Fairs and Festivals
- Information Booth
- Maintenance Office
- Newhouse Galleries
- Paranormal Events
- Performances/Concerts
- Spruce Up! Days
- Various Gardens
- And more!
How did you get started as a volunteer leader?
Along with being the Volunteer Coordinator, I am also the Education Coordinator. Since many if not most of our events have an education component, meaning I would be involved in the process, it only seemed natural that the volunteer portion of things would fall under my umbrella as well. Also, I believe that volunteering for any organization is a learning opportunity in of itself, and therefore belongs under Education.
What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteers or their leaders out there?
Follow through. As much as it seems like things can run without you, organizations are counting on their volunteers to help them and when they don’t show up without notice, it can throw things into chaos. This advice goes for volunteer leaders too: follow through after the event is over. As much as we think our volunteers know how much we need and value them, it doesn’t hurt to let them know as much as possible.
Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?
Although I know my way around the internet, I am not extremely computer savvy, and VolunteerSpot was easy to understand, easy to join, has a simple process for our volunteers to sign up. There's also a program to add and change events that's so easy, even I understand it! Not to mention the site itself is bright and inviting, and my volunteers have had no problems with it.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your organization or volunteering?
With autumn approaching, we are going into full swing here at Snug Harbor. With events like the Autumn Moon Festival and Harvest Italiano, The Historical Hauntings Tours during Halloween, exhibitions like The History of Music on Staten Island, and educational tours, workshops and classes, as well as sprucing up the grounds, maintaining the Compost Demonstration Site and the opening of our new Sustainable Farm, we’re going to need all the volunteer help we can get. We look forward to maintaining our working relationship with VolunteerSpot for a long time.
Contact Kim Pinto if you're interested in volunteering or have any questions [email protected]
Or visit http://www.snug-harbor.org
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We salute Kim and all the other volunteer leaders out there making a difference. If you're using VolunteerSpot, write and tell us about what you're doing and give us a chance to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on you!! Just email us at [email protected].