Wenatchee Valley Museum honors volunteers at annual recognition dinner

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center honored its volunteers during an appreciation dinner that highlighted the essential role they play in the institution's daily operations and community outreach programs.

The recognition event, held Friday, November 8, featured local entertainment and catering from area restaurants. Musicians Elaine Eagle performed piano ballads and Thomas Kozina played selections from the Star Wars soundtrack on the museum's historic 1919 Wurlitzer pipe organ.

The museum presented multiple awards to volunteers who served in various capacities throughout the year, including front desk operations, exhibits management, archives and collections maintenance, children's programming, and special events coordination.

Among the highest honors, Penny and Larry Tobiska received the Volunteer Award for Excellence in Service. The Long-term Service Award recognized multiple recipients, including Bob and Sherry Doolittle, Bob Straub, Carol Hofmann, Sandy Schuster, and Chris Rader.

Other notable recognitions included the Leadership Award presented to Bob Otis, while Mark Vanhorne earned the Go the Extra Mile Award. The museum acknowledged its marketing team with a special recognition for Denise Figlewicz, Kristi Mahre, Karen Mackey, and Jan Romey.

The dinner featured catering from Plaza Wenatchee, which provided a taco and salsa bar, complemented by pasta selections from Garlini's Napoletana.

The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with support from the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. The institution focuses on preserving and celebrating the region's history, arts, sciences, and cultural diversity.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, interested parties can contact the museum's front desk at (509)-888-6240.