April is National Volunteer Month, and we are recognizing the dedicated individuals who give their time and energy week in and week out to support our small staff. Thank you to our volunteers for making a huge difference at WMODA during the last year. Let us know if you would like to help our not-for-profit museum when we reopen.

George Hawthorn is affectionately known as the “voluntold” as he is the husband of our Executive Director and Curator, Louise Irvine. George has been an integral part of WMODA for the last ten years and has been involved in all types of museum projects since the beginning. He particularly enjoys photography and video editing. Most recently, he edited the audio commentary for our self-guided tour.

Julio “Flipper” Difilippo has been volunteering with us since 2021 and comes several times a week to help. In our new Hollywood home, he is working tirelessly to beautify the exterior foliage surrounding the building, and he is always happy to assist our logistics manager, Luis, with any interior projects that require a second pair of hands. When we reopen, we look forward to seeing him back in his colorful suits, utilizing his background in security to patrol the museum. Flipper has taught us to “work smarter, not harder.”

Alain Montour, a retired actuary from Canada, has been with us since 2022. He has spent many months cataloging the WMODA library collection using Library of Congress practices. His systematic, organized approach to his work has also been invaluable in Collections Management and museum procedures. Most recently, Alain has been working on the inventory of second-hand books for our Old Curiosity Shop.

Dale King is our newest volunteer. She has been assisting with cataloging the libraries, and when we reopen, you will see her in the galleries answering questions and sharing information about the museum.

We are very fortunate to work with such talented individuals who have helped us rebuild WMODA in our new location. When we reopen, we will need more volunteer help to meet and greet visitors. We also need help to promote the new museum to a broader audience through different channels.

We welcome volunteers of all ages with all types of experience, including college interns seeking art museum experience and retired professionals who can offer skills accumulated during their careers. Museum training will be provided. Please let us know if you would like to help us share the new WMODA experience with others. Call Kimberly Sheridan for more details at 954-376-6690.