Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Smith

What motivates you to volunteer?I have gotten to see more types of materials than I had ever thought were possible. For example, I know how to knit and crochet from my family; now, I see instructions to learn to tat, materials to spin wool, and ideas I never knew were possible.  I would already go to ACR for personal reasons, this just gives me more exposure to other people's intentions. Why ACR?The people who have come to volunteer are talented, and I have gotten to learn from them more than any art degree would imagine.  People need to know this!  There are so many ways to get to know humanity from around the world, and art gives a great introduction How long have you volunteered with ACR?I have visited ACR since it began, or, (at least,) tried to!  Initially, I had a very difficult time trying to find the old location, but I did because the volunteer on the phone led me to the tiny, hidden paradise.  I went there for yarn, school supplies, and stuff to use for my classroom.  I finally could officially join the volunteers in 2019, one year after my brain surgery.  I've enjoyed it! Are you more into the arts aspect of ACR or the conservation aspect and why?I see the conservation aspect as the most important purpose for this nonprofit, (but I also agree with ACR's philosophy about art.)  Conservation means there is less crap to throw away.  Supplies get overpriced and over packaged, and intentions wind up getting thrown away when someone else could use it.  At least recycling makes supplies available, and affordable. Where else have/do you volunteer?I have worked with kids of all ages over the years as a teacher, and I am going through ways to begin concentrating on the students with special needs.  What do you enjoy the most out of volunteering at ACR?I love wrapping yarn back into balls, at home, watching Dr. Who from the beginning in the 1960's to now.  I love sorting things into piles, testing pens and markers, working puzzles to see what pieces are missing.  I enjoy lapidary rock formations, measuring picture frames, and learning the different types of glue.  Shelving means sorting, comparing, and figuring out what fits into a bucket - my favorite place in the store! Do you have any interesting or funny stories about something that happened while you were volunteering at ACR?(I literally have a ton)Gigantic yarn to 'unravel'The day a dozen 'heads' with no hair were delivered from a cosmetology school 

See some of Laura's work in our Online Reuse Gallery