Spotlight on Claflin Hill Volunteers--
At the
heart of Claflin Hill you will find our dedicated volunteers. We heavily rely
upon the donation of time and effort from these folks who willingly give of
themselves to support the organization.
Claflin Hill Volunteers help to make performance events comfortable and
successful for both our musicians and our audiences. They help to set up the
hall, and meet and greet our audiences. Volunteers lend a hand at the office to
help with mass mailings or data entry projects. Volunteers also help to plan and
run fundraising events such as the Annual Fall Fling, (Claflin Hill’s major
fundraiser) and the annual Spring Phone-a-Thon. We rely on our volunteers to
help raise awareness and build new audiences.
Has the thought of volunteering crossed your mind? Claflin Hill is a wonderful
place to meet people who value culture. You can commit to volunteering once a
year or once a week! The commitment you make to Claflin Hill can be as flexible
as you like or need. If you are interested talking about becoming a volunteer,
please contact Susan Surapine at 508-478-5924.
Volunteer
of the Month: Danielle Howley of Hopedale
by Susan McWade Surapine
Danielle Howley, Claflin Hill’s very first volunteer, and now member of the
Board of Directors, recalls the first time she heard mention about the Claflin
Hill Symphony Orchestra.
“One day – sometime in 2000 -- I was visiting the Milford Town Library when I
ran into Paul Surapine. He began discussing with me his visions of a symphony
orchestra right here in Milford. I told him I thought this would be a grandiose
idea, and that if it came to fruition, to give me call and I would be willing to
volunteer. Lo and behold, several months later I received a call from Paul. He
told me that his vision was being realized and asked if I still wanted to
volunteer. I gladly accepted.
Danielle went on to say, “As a volunteer, I help Claflin Hill in many ways. One
of the most important matters is to get the word out about our performances. I
help accomplish this by hanging posters in Milford, Hopedale, Mendon, and
Medway. I go to all the stores, churches, schools, libraries, diners and local
businesses. One of my favorite marketing methods is to give "postcards" to
people I run into while shopping, or while I’m manning a table at other local
events like the Field Day for the Milford Hospital Centennial Celebration,
Family Expo, or Hopedale Day in the Park. I’ve made many new acquaintances while
standing on line at the market telling people about Claflin Hill”
For Danielle, the most laborious volunteer effort is getting ready for our major
fundraiser: The Annual Fall Fling and Silent Auction. For this, she visits local
businesses and asks for donations. She stated, “I must say that everyone gives
very generously.”
I asked Danielle if she felt rewarded by volunteering at Claflin Hill. She said,
“Last but not least, are the most pleasant and rewarding events and concerts
where you meet and greet the audience, help them find their seats, and help them
at the concession table. I really enjoy it. No one volunteers against their
will! I feel as though I am giving to my community and in return I see all the
music lovers eagerly entering the Grand Ballroom, raving about the opera, an
unknown composition, or a perfect performance of their favorite piece. This
makes it all worth it to me. Imagine having an orchestra in your Town Hall!!!! I
feel gratified at having helped to accomplish something as big as this for my
fellow citizens. All these hours of free manpower make a big difference to the
success of Claflin Hill. We, the volunteers, are an important link to the
fulfillment of the Claflin Hill Music Performance Foundation’s mission. Through
volunteering, I have reconnected with Milfordians I met years ago. I’ve also had
the pleasure of meeting many very talented musical directors, musicians, chorus
members, radio commentators, other enthusiastic volunteers and board members. I
must say that volunteering at Claflin Hill has enriched my life tremendously,
and I look forward to growing with the organization in the years to come.”
Danielle is an entrepreneur in her own right. She is a licensed daycare
provider! Where she finds all of her energy, we’ll never know! Danielle also
finds the time to volunteer at the Women’s Wellness Center. She can often be
found riding her bicycle around Hopedale and Milford! Danielle resides in
Hopedale with her husband David (who is also a Claflin Hill volunteer) and their
two children, William and Olivia.
Volunteer of the Month: Ella Ryan of Medway by Susan McWade Surapine
We asked our volunteers to put into words why they volunteer. Ella was the first
to respond, and as a matter of fact, Ella was one of our first volunteers! Her
tireless energy and ideas have helped to make our volunteer organization
professional and efficient. Ella resides in Medway with her husband, Jack.
Ella Ryan was reading the Milford Daily News one spring day in 2002, and as she
flipped through the pages, she noticed an ad for the opera Tosca. In Ella’s own
words, “I was so happy to see that this was happening! I cut out the ad and took
it to the Medway Senior Center to share with friends, and perhaps find someone
who would like to go with me. I began talking with Adell McWade about it. I
didn’t realize it at the time, but Paul Surapine was Adell’s son-in-law! Adell
invited me to accompany her and Paul (her husband) to the opera. We arrived at
the Grand Ballroom in Milford’s Town Hall, sat down, and the minute I heard the
music I was hooked!”
Ella grew up in Boston and was accustomed to having good music at her fingertips
– for free, or inexpensively. She never thought it possible to have a
professional symphony seven miles from her home! Better yet, she never thought
one could get season’s tickets to a professional symphony for $90!!!
When asked why she volunteers, Ella stated: “I volunteer, first, for the joy of
the music. Simply, it brings me joy. If my volunteer efforts help Claflin Hill
in any way at all, it is a plus for me. When I arrive home after a symphony I am
just so happy! I’m happy to have heard the music, and I’m happy to have had the
chance to be there. Of course, it is also wonderful to welcome the people as
they arrive and to hear how happy they are when they leave at the end of the
evening. It’s just an “up night” all around! I feel privileged to be a part of
it all. How you [Susan] and Paul do all that you do, plus care for your family
and hold down jobs is beyond me! I take my hat off to you both. You both are
Claflin Hill. I doubt it would be in existence without your efforts. And, I
credit your sons, [Zachary and Joshua] as they give in their way also. Thanks
for the great opportunity!”