Portland's OMSI Celebrates Its Volunteers

Portland's OMSI Celebrates Its Volunteers

Published 04/09/2010

(Portland, Oregon) - The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will honor its more than 500 volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 18 - 24.

OMSI is hosting a number of special activities throughout the week, beginning with a volunteer appreciation celebration and awards presentation Sunday, April 18 at OMSI. This year OMSI will recognize 104 volunteers who have contributed at least five years or 2,000 hours of service, with 12 of those having contributed more than 20 years or 5,000 hours of service.

“I am reminded each day when I come to OMSI just how lucky we are to have such an amazing pool of talented and dedicated volunteers,” said OMSI President Nancy Stueber.   “Our organization cannot function without their collective efforts, and their support is felt throughout all aspects of the museum. There is no greater demonstration of passion and dedication than when someone volunteers such a valued asset as their time. For that I am endlessly appreciative, and sincerely thank them for doing great work and helping to make OMSI such a special place. 

“This year more members of the community than ever before have offered their volunteer assistance to OMSI.  We appreciate every individual who shares their time, skills, and enthusiasm, both working with the public and behind the scenes, to make OMSI a stronger organization,” said Carol Cruzan, manager of Volunteer Services.

Many Portlanders say volunteers built OMSI, and in fact they quite literally did when in August 1957, more than 400 volunteer bricklayers laid 102,000 bricks in one day to raise the walls of the new building at Washington Park. Today, volunteers support every aspect of OMSI’s programs, contributing over 85,000 hours of service to OMSI each year.

OMSI has partnered with nine Portland visitor attractions in recognizing their volunteers by offering them free reciprocal admission during specified weeks in April and May. These partner attractions include the Oregon Zoo, Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society Museum, the Portland Children’s Museum, Pittock Mansion, the Museum of Contemporary Craft, the Architectural Heritage Center, and the Portland Japanese Garden.  Fourteen additional partners from around the region have joined the program, including the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the High Desert Museum, Cascades Raptor Center, the Pearson Air Museum, the Clark County Historical Museum, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, the Science Factory Children’s Museum and Planetarium, A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Mission Mill Museum, Gordon House, the Oregon Garden, and the Columbia River Maritime Museum.