Located Behind the Pier & Pavillion
Only Timeshare on the Coast of Georgia
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ON TYBEE
We Can’t Do It Without You
Historic Preservation depends on volunteers - to save buildings, to operate programs in those buildings and to educate the community about
our historic gems. This month’s column is about two such treasures close to my heart - The Tybee Post Theater and the Tybee Light Station and
Museum. Both of these historic entities have dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year in a wide array of positions. They are
always welcoming new volunteers too!
I volunteer for the Post Theater because I LOVE theater. Every person on this planet should have an opportunity to experience the joy of music,
dance, live plays and movies. I find volunteering for the theater extremely gratifying. We have such a special place and it takes people and money to
keep the doors open. We have over 60 volunteers who help operate the theater. Ushers, office workers, wine festival hosts, the board of directors -
we’re all volunteers and we contribute over 500 hours a year to the Tybee Post Theater. We love what we do and we also know we are appreciated!
Jaime Whalen, the Business Manager and Volunteer Coordinator, stresses that “Volunteers are the backbone of the theater and we couldn’t keep
our doors open without them. We’re so gratified that so many want to be a part of the team and a part of the theater. They play an essential role in
everything we do throughout the year.”
Gus Rehnstrom, Volunteer Coordinator of the Tybee Lighthouse, echoed Jaime’s comments, saying, “The lighthouse would not be able to function
at the level they do without their 70 volunteers.” Last year, the volunteers worked over 6623 hours!! WOW! If all the buildings were staffed by a
volunteer, they would contribute over 9950 hours, according to Gus! Last year, the lighthouse opened its doors and stairs to approximately 104,000
guests - I find that amazing! I don’t do as much there, but my husband, Gary, is a faithful volunteer, representing the family!
Having worked in the criminal justice field for over 40 years, I love the fact that the lighthouse also utilizes community service workers. Some of
those volunteers have stayed on because they love it too! Gus (and all of us) want the Tybee Lighthouse and Museum to be a welcoming place for
our visitors! If you are interested, contact Gus or Art Worden at volunteers@tybeelighthouse.org.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention putting your name out there to serve on the city’s various boards and commissions. There are so many
to choose from! What’s your interest? Skill set? Historic preservation is important to me so I volunteered my name for the Historic Preservation
Commission. I, as well as everyone on it, LOVES it! We receive great guidance from Chantel Morton, from the city, and Sarah Jones, from the Tybee
Island Historical Society, as well as from Shirley Sessions, our city council representative. We want Tybee to maintain its quirky charm while still
appealing to our visitors and being a great place to call home. We’re very, very lucky to live on such a caring, giving island. If you aren’t already,
won’t you join us as a volunteer to preserve and serve our treasures?
TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | APR 2019 17
By Kathy Dennis
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