NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Why does Evelyn Nunn, a NASA Glenn Visitor Center volunteer since 1983, staff the lobby desk every Tuesday morning? Why would Allen Loew, a human resources manager, take the time to research the life of Orville Wright and portray the aviation pioneer in front of hundreds of people at the Visitor Center?

"I've always been interested in science and space, but my career took a different direction," Loew explained. "So my involvement with the Visitor Center, with the support and empowerment of the its staff, enables me to be a part of the NASA mission."

Image right: Monica Boyd, right, presents the prestigious President's Award and the 5000 hour gold bar to Evelyn Nunn, at the Volunteer Recognition Program. The President's Award is given to volunteers who are members of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) with 4000 hours of service. The Visitor Center has 24 RSVP members. Credit: NASA/Kelly DiFrancesco

Loew and Nunn are just two of 55 individuals who donate their time, talent and enthusiasm to Glenn's Visitor Center. Volunteers range from students to senior citizens and from NASA Glenn retirees to members of the general public. They support the center by assisting with tours and programs, staffing the lobby desk or amateur radio station, and providing general information and guidance to visitors.

Glenn's Visitor Center staff showed their appreciation to these individuals by hosting the annual Volunteer Recognition Program on November 9 in the Visitor Center Auditorium. All the volunteers received personal thanks and certificates of appreciation while 16 of them were given awards for reaching certain benchmark hours for the first time. Loew and fellow volunteer Aaron Clark, who were instrumental in providing support of the public tours, earned special recognition.

"Our programs have expanded and the number of visitors has greatly increased over the past few years," explained Volunteer Coordinator Monica Boyd. "The Visitor Center staff couldn't accomplish our mission without the support of our volunteers. They are truly members of the NASA family and help us successfully meet the needs of the public."

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Doreen Zudell (SGT, Inc.)