Each month on the BLOG, we feature an interview with one of our incredible volunteers. We have dedicated volunteers who have been with us for more than 20 years and some who have given of their time for less than two months. All are deeply appreciated and deserve a moment in the spotlight!
This month, we feature a lovely couple who give time to the theatre, Jimmie and D’Anne D’Albro.
James and D’Anne at Thanksgiving Dinner with Relatives in Arroyo Grande
Jimmie and D’Anne are both retired. Before retirement, D’Anne worked at the County of San Luis Obispo Recorders Office and the Probation Department. Jimmie enjoyed 25 years as an educator of Ornamental Horticulture at Cal Poly.
A typical day for the couple starts at a local athletic club. At home, Jimmie cultivates his vegetable and ornamental gardens. Carpentry fills in any extra time. D’Anne spends time painting ceramic figurines, reading, and embroidering. One of D’Anne’s more recent hobbies is taking Fused Glass classes.
Summers find them at Lake Nacimiento, where Jimmie water skis and D’Anne drives the ski boat.
Evening Dinner on Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
The couple enjoy traveling a lot. Over the years, they’ve taken many ocean cruises to different world locations. Their land adventures have included Ireland, Italy, and Sicily. Stateside, they enjoy visiting Hawaii. They also make frequent visits to their family homestead in upstate New York. They love Broadway musicals and the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall.
They became SLO REP Volunteers in 2018 when they saw a need for volunteers and decided to try it out. D’Anne loves the Front Door reception and Jimmie has done Bartending and Concessions. For Jimmie, Bartending is a great deal of fun. The people are friendly and communicating with attendees is very rewarding.
Touring Teatro Antica di Taormina at Sicily
In addition to volunteering at SLO REP, the D’albros also volunteer at the San Luis Elks Club, where they like to help with events regarding children, or summertime poolside barbecuing. They also support the Clark Center for the Performing Arts.
Their advice to new volunteers is to do as much as you can and try to be diverse in any of the duties. Also, to enjoy every moment and keep smiling as it makes people feel at home!
