This month is Volunteer Appreciation Month and, in order to celebrate, we are featuring one of our amazing volunteers! This month is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the month and the rest of the year. Today we celebrate you, Anne Albano!

Anne has lived in Westbury for 50 years. She is a former teacher, an avid quilter, painter, needle worker, and actress/singer. Anne is a former member of St. Brigid Choir under the direction of Joseph Cangelosi. Also, Anne participated in the St. Brigid Youth’s theater productions as both a performer and director.

She has been a docent at Old Bethpage Restoration Village for 20 years, and could frequently be seen decrying “demon rum” as a member of the Temperance Society and demonstrating quilting on the grounds of the annual LI Fair, or hawking peanuts! She is a past member of the volunteer Board of The Gray Wig Alumni Repertory Theatre at Hofstra University, where she met her husband, Chuck.

For Westbury Arts, Anne has volunteered to make masks for the Black & White Ball, maintains the “Around Town” calendar for WestburyArts.org and occasionally volunteers at community events held by Westbury Arts, such as concerts at The Piazza and the Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Anne serves on the Marketing & Publicity Board for Westbury Arts. She can also be seen at the head of Newton Street each May, cheering on the L.I. Marathon runners with her dog, Gretchen! She loves the arts and aims to attract more arts to Westbury and to fundraise. Anne also encourages the financially stable patrons of the community to support the Westbury Arts cause and donate. She strives to bring new art, talent and people to the Westbury community. We decided to ask her five questions about the impact of Westbury Arts and why she is so passionate about the organization. Check out her answers and a recent photo of her below!

 

Why is Westbury Arts important to you?

The organization attracts arts-oriented organizations to our Village. The people who are interested in the arts are usually financially secure (have disposable income) and community oriented/interested in the welfare of our Village.

 

What made you decide to volunteer for Westbury Arts?

I feel bringing “new” talent/visitors to our Village will increase property values and will have an impact (eventually) on the level of education in our Public Schools.

 

Who is your favorite artist and why?

No answer. I like all media.

 

What have you liked most about volunteering with Westbury Arts?

Our fellow enthusiastic members and the folks we meet from the community.

 

What is your favorite Westbury Arts event?

Member Appreciation night and the concerts at The Piazza each summer. I’m looking forward to Farmers’ Market, too.