By the Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation
Contributed

The Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation has been recognizing a volunteer of the year since 1970. The honoree’s name is kept secret and is known only by the previous year’s recipient and the search committee.

Suzie Bennett is the Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation’s 2020 Volunteer of the Year. Bennett has been an active member of the Associates since October 2014.
Photo courtesy of the Associates of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation

The Associates is proud to announce Suzie Bennett as its 2020 Volunteer of the Year. Bennett has been an active member of the Associates since October 2014. 

“In an all-volunteer organization like ours, we’re fortunate to have members who are willing to step up and volunteer to put in the extra effort to make it the special organization that it is and to ensure that it fulfills its mission,” said 2019 Volunteer of the Year Terry Casella.

The organization has members who put in extra effort when called upon to do a special project. This year’s honoree joins the ranks of those who have been honored in the past. You will see many names of members who have added much to the success of the Associates. 

When we decided to have a more elaborate holiday party,Bennett, this year’s Volunteer of the Year volunteered to come up with something to help offset the cost. She organized a group to work on the project, spent months getting donations and put together amazing baskets for a raffle at the event. The raffle not only paid for the event but raised additional funds that went into our scholarship fund.

Our Volunteer of the Year is awarded a unique gift often crafted by a local artist. Bennett received a one-of-a-kind glass wind chime crafted by Casella, owner of P S Mountain Glass Studio.