Plantation resident Aven Roberts named “Volunteer of the Year”

Plantation resident Aven Roberts, Broward Center Director of Volunteer & Intern Services Bonnie Repetti, Broward Center Director of Guest Services David Dillon, Broward Center Guest Services Manager Randy Wardell

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts recently held its 29th Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards and Dinner, presented by Florida Blue, which paid tribute to the nearly 800 volunteers who donated 130,000 hours of community service during the past season to the Broward Center and its affiliate venues.

Pompano resident Leslie Hammer and Ft. Lauderdale resident Gale Jennings

More than 500 volunteers attended an appreciation dinner and were entertained with a program featuring performances by a cast member of Slow Burn Theatre Company’s Shrek The Musical, the Broward Center Spotlights youth vocal ensemble, talented staff from the Broward Center and more. The event was sponsored by Florida Blue who greeted the guests in the lobby. Doug Bartel, Senior Director of Business Development, Media and External Relations of Florida Blue, addressed the volunteers from the stage.

Tamarac resident Jeanne Singer and Sunrise resident Carol-Lee Dolnick

“Our world-class Broward Center is celebrating another incredible year of inspiring and entertaining the community, which would not be possible without the army of amazing volunteers who work behind-the-scenes for each event,” said Bartel. “Florida Blue is incredibly proud to celebrate those volunteers and their efforts, and to work with the Broward Center in engaging audiences.”

Plantation residents Bob and Marlene Newman and Linda Ciasca

Plantation resident Aven Roberts was recognized as the 2018-19 “Volunteer of the Year” for donating 2,199 hours during the season, which was the most by any volunteer. The prize package included tickets to a Broadway in Fort Lauderdale performance, a dinner gift certificate to Marti’s New River Bistro and gift basket filled with wine, snacks and Broadway show souvenirs. She will also receive a commemorative brick on the Riverwalk.

Pembroke Pines resident Carly Crispino

Also recognized and awarded were Plantation resident Karen Greerwho contributed 1,064 hours and Davie resident Karen Uriswho donated 922 hours of volunteer time.

Broward Center Director of Volunteer & Intern Services Bonnie Repetti and Pompano Beach resident Daisy Kinsler

The Broward Center also recognized 47 volunteers who were applauded for service of 10 years or more, and received their gold badge signifying this level of service and tickets to a show. Two volunteers were honored for their 20-year milestone of volunteering with a gold badge and tickets to a show.

Sunrise residents Steve and Helen Sax and Tamarac resident Arlene Maisus

Volunteers usher and serve as community ambassadors for the Broward Center and its affiliate venues: Parker Playhouse, the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Volunteers commit to a regular weekly shift (choosing a regular evening or matinee) for the full season. The Broward Center volunteer ushers are a dynamic mix of theater-lovers, from retired seniors and baby boomers to high school students, many of whom earn community service hours and volunteer alongside a parent or grandparent.

Plantation residents and twin sisters Sandy Spector and Marlene Newman

Volunteers are eligible to begin ushering performances upon completion of a three-hour orientation session that includes a tour of the Broward Center and an introduction to ushering. For more information, contact the volunteer office at 954.468.2684 or e-mail volunteer@browardcenter.org.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

Sunrise residents Felice and William Zavat

For more information visit BrowardCenter.org, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BrowardCenter and Facebook.com/BrowardCenterEducation, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BrowardCenter, subscribe to our channel at Youtube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the conversation with #BrowardCenter.

Boca Raton resident Karen Russo and Fort Lauderdale resident Rob Horton

The Broward Center 2019-2020 season is presented by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Bank of America, Brightline, Canteen, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, JetBlue, MasterCard and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are proud sponsors of the Broward Center.

Hollywood residents Jean and Tony Dorto

About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts

One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive JetBlue Flight Deck on the Club Level, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 130,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.

Aventura resident Kimberly Herman

The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Consortium is a cultural partnership between the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, History Fort Lauderdale and the Historic Stranahan House Museum. It is supported by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

Pompano residents Ike Collado and Jack Sanders with Lauderdale Lakes resident Helen Lea (center)

Miami resident Marlene Guyton, Tamarac resident Bobbi Morgan and Hallandale resident Irene Luis

Photo credit: Downtown Photo