Seasonal Volunteer Spotlight

Spring 2013's featured volunteer, Madelon

National Park Service, Weir Farm National Historic Site

 

Spring Volunteer Spotlight: Madelon

Meet Madelon, spring 2013's featured Weir Farm National Historic Site (NHS) Volunteer! Madelon has volunteered at the park since 1994 as a Visitor Service/Interpreter Volunteer. She decided to volunteer because she loved the concept of preserving the property and featuring the landscape which served as inspiration for the series of artists who called it home. She is incredibly dedicated, and has provided an inspiring and educational experience to countless visitors through her over 550 hours of volunteer service.

Madelon creates a friendly and positive atmosphere while greeting and orienting each visitor during her Saturday morning volunteer shifts at the visitor center. She is very welcoming, and helps to make each person's experience special. She is reliable, kind, and enthusiastic about sharing the stories of Weir Farm NHS. Her positive attitude and support is greatly appreciated by all park visitors, staff, and fellow volunteers.

As a volunteer, Madelon enjoys meeting people who are drawn to the park from all over the world. Reflecting on her years of volunteering, Madelon recalls one of her favorite moments. "The main house was open once a year on one day. The volunteers loved to be assigned time to greet visitors that day. Doris Andrews was the hostess. A visitor seemed to think I was the owner and thanked me for allowing him to visit my house!"

Madelon loves Weir Farm NHS, but has also visited many other national parks, particularly in the west. One of her favorites is the iconic Grand Canyon National Park. She thinks it is in a class by itself, and especially gorgeous at sunrise. She also enjoys spending time at home with her husband and new rescue dog, Jake, and visiting with her son and daughter who live nearby. Other favorite pastimes of Madelon's are reading books for her two book clubs and riding horses, which she does about twice a week. In the summer she also spends time puttering with planting flowers and scheming ways to deter the foraging deer from consuming her planters' contents.

Madelon approaches her volunteer work at Weir Farm NHS with the highest degree of experience, integrity, and goodwill. She truly adds a special air of delight to the park each time she volunteers. Madelon's contributions have and will continue to inspire visitors today and into the future! Her bright and cheery attitude make Madelon the ideal volunteer to feature for spring. Thanks for all you do for Weir Farm NHS and the National Park Service, Madelon!