Volunteer Recognition
Volunteers of the Month
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers for all you do to make Burritt on the Mountain a very special place!
Volunteer of the Month: Melanie Savas
Each month, Burritt on the Mountain recognizes a volunteer who goes above and beyond to assist our guests and staff.
We celebrate Melanie Savas as Volunteer of the Month.
We are so thankful for her valued time and efforts to help make Burritt’s educational programs a success. Her heart for hospitality and welcoming and engaging nature is much appreciated. Melanie interned over the summer with the Education Department meeting her 450+ volunteer hours towards her degree. She was a tremendous help to staff and the kids loved her!
To get to know Melanie better, we asked her Why Volunteer at Burritt? in three questions:
How did you get involved with Burritt on the Mountain? I got involved with Burritt on the Mountain because I love supporting families in their growth and collective learning. This is a place that has supported the growth of our community for generations, so I jumped on the opportunity to be here to complete my college degree in Human Development and Family Sciences! Nonprofit work has a special place in my heart, and seeing the kids this summer learn more about this world has been truly so fulfilling.
What do you find most rewarding Seeing children excited to tell the rest of their family about what they learned is the most rewarding part for me. It shows that they have been enthusiastic about our lessons, and have internalized the information enough to repeat it. That is true growth right before our very eyes.
What do you think makes Burritt such a special place? I think Burritt on the Mountain is such a special place due to how engrained it has been in Huntsville for so long. I have come here with my grandparents, parents, and now as an intern right before I begin adulthood. Burritt has seen so many people grow up, and has taught us so much throughout the years. Maybe that is why this place feels like family from the first day.
We can’t do what we do without great volunteers! Thank you Melanie for supporting our mission to enhance lives and build community through educational, artistic and recreational experiences, while preserving our heritage, land, and historic structures.
Won’t you volunteer with us too?
Past Winners
July 2021 – Nancy Dickinson
June 2021 – Caroline Bendickson
May 2021 – Pam and Frank Wrabel
April 2021 – Nathaly Manuel-Avendano and Rosario Santos
March 2021 – Dick Christiansen
February 2021 – Bill Caudill
January 2021 – Al and Kate Drost
December 2020 – AnaGrace Russell
November 2020 – Donna Smith
October 2020 – Cheryl and Billy Rice
September 2020 – Sari Oosta
August 2020 – Bart Bankowski
2020 Burritt Volunteer of the Year Award: Sari Oosta
Each year, Burritt on the Mountain recognizes a volunteer who goes above and beyond to assist our guests and staff. We are excited to announce Sari Oosta as the Volunteer of the Year.
In 2020, Sari volunteered approximately 200 hours focusing on the educational programming of the national women’s suffrage movement and the centennial celebration of 19th Amendment through presentations and exhibit at Burritt. Sari helps the Education Department with a variety of projects and programs and also is a mansion docent giving engaging historic information about Dr. Burritt and his unique home and current exhibits on display.
We greatly appreciate Sari’s valued time, energy, ideas and skills to help fulfill Burritt’s mission to enhance lives in our community.