Thinkery is lucky to have a community of volunteers dedicated to the museum’s work and mission. This year, we want to take a moment to acknowledge some of the incredible volunteers that have worked tirelessly through the years to help make Thinkery a place for joyful learning. What better place to start than Thinkery’s longest volunteer?
Marv has donated almost 1,000 hours of his time to Thinkery! He began volunteering over 10 years ago after a long career of working with kids during after-school programs and being a foster grandparent for young children.
When Austin Children’s Museum moved to Mueller and became Thinkery 10 years ago, Marv was there to lend a helping hand and has continued to do so ever since. He remembers his time on 2nd Street fondly and how Thinkery has changed over the years from new exhibits and programs to many of the staff members he has worked with.
While many things have changed at Thinkery since Marv’s time here, some things never change. “The people working here may be different,” Marv says, “but the commitment to the children hasn’t changed at all.”
You can find Marv at Thinkery’s Spark Shop on Tuesdays helping kids create something from their imaginations. He’ll be the first to remind you that there is no one right way to make something and always encourages kids to prioritize making something that brings them joy.
With less than 30 hours to go, Marv will hit 1,000 volunteer hours. This momentous milestone only fuels his desire to volunteer more. He’s set a personal goal to beat his record of 1,600 hours at the last organization he volunteered with.
Thinkery wouldn’t be the same without the help of Marv over the last 12 years. Everyone at the museum is incredibly grateful for the work he’s put in to make Thinkery a place for joyful learning. Next time you see Marv tinkering away in Spark Shop, be sure to stop by and say hello!