Meet the Manleys
In honor of 2023’s National Volunteer Week (April 16-22), we recognize all Fox Cities Performing Arts Center volunteers. Volunteers play a vital role at your Fox Cities P.A.C. As a local nonprofit organization, the Center is supported by the generosity of community members who contribute financial donations and/or give their time and talents to this premier performing arts venue. In the Fox Cities P.A.C.’s 20th Anniversary Season, more than 280 volunteers donated 13,720+ hours to the creation of exceptional live experiences. This amount of time, which is truly priceless, measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is equivalent to the value of more than $382,571. Of those 280 volunteers, 28 of them have been with the Center since its opening in November 2002. Longtime Center volunteers, Joann and Dave Manley, provided a deeper insight to the innerworkings of volunteerism at your Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.
Joann and Dave are both retired members of the community who have been volunteering since 2014, marking nearly 10 years of commitment in sharing the Center’s mission. Dave was a teacher for many years while Joann was an administrative assistant. Initially from the area, the Manleys moved to Fond du Lac for a few years, later returning to Appleton in 2014. “We were involved in a lot of things in Fond du Lac, so when we moved back to Appleton, we wanted to do things to keep ourselves busy. That’s how we got started volunteering,” Joann shared. As volunteers, Dave and Joann help where they can and are needed. Signing up for pre-show or show opportunities, the Manleys, along with other volunteers, do a little of everything. Their duties include ushering, bartending, ticket scanning and various set-up and take-down jobs for events.
The Manleys commented on how great it is to have something like the Fox Cities P.A.C. in our own backyard where people have an opportunity to see world-class talent. Volunteers often can see shows if they are working as ushers. Dave and Joann’s favorite shows that they have seen was the Bee Gees tribute band, Stayin’ Alive and Disney’s The Lion King. Though they enjoy seeing the shows, the Manleys have been volunteering for more pre-show events in the 2022-23 Season. “You meet a lot of people as a volunteer,” Dave remarked. He added, “It’s a great place to work if you like having conversations. I could stand on the steps and talk to 40 or 50 people, just directing them where to go.” While volunteering, Joann and Dave often see parents of students that Dave taught and other familiar community members. Seeing familiar faces and building relationship with other community members, staff and volunteers offers the Manleys a sense of contagious joy.
We are grateful for all that Joann and Dave Manley and other volunteers give to the Fox Cities P.A.C. To them, we extend our deepest appreciation and a warm and heartfelt “thank you.”
If you love giving back to your community, are passionate about the arts and enjoy sharing in conversations and performing arts experiences, consider becoming a volunteer for your Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and join the cast today.
By Philomena Dorobek, Brand Storyteller
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center