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Debra at a free
volunteer dresser workshop Debra Gulinello

Volunteer of the Month:

by Jillian Keith, TNP, Marketing Coordinator

ow do you feel whenever you try “I worked for 30 years in education. I started as a special
something new? Exhilarated? education teacher for elementary schoolers and then became
HEmpowered? Proud? a high school computer lab teacher. I didn’t want the
Challenged? Expansive? Happy? These responsibility of coming up with a lesson plan, so becoming an
are all words our Volunteer of the Month, Education Assistant was perfect for me. I started off working
Debra Gulinello, used to describe her with 5 and 6 year olds - absolutely adorable and amazing!
experience broadening her horizons and Working with kids is super fulfilling.”
volunteering at The Naples Players (TNP). Since volunteering as an Education Assistant, Debra has
“I’m always amazed by what I’m able to gone on to volunteer as a dresser for Sylvia, a tree designer for
accomplish volunteering here. There are so many different ways TNP’s Trees and Teas Festival, at our three most recent Front &
to get involved and the community is so welcome and willing Center Galas, and backstage for Mary Poppins and Laugh, Cry,
to take you under their wing. I knew nothing - and I mean Pee, Repeat! “I loved volunteering as an Education Assistant,
nothing - and all I’ve done is learn and grow in this supportive so I decided to try my hand at working backstage for
environment. I jumped right in, there were no sharks, and Mary Poppins. I was just so fascinated by the whole process
I’d recommend for everyone to try this incredible experience. of rehearsing and blocking a show and then making it happen.
It’s fun, it’s a great place to connect with wonderful people Seeing a show happening with half-done sets and costumes
and yourself. It’s just a great community within this already was mesmerizing, and I just wanted to be there all the time.
incredible community.” I worked backstage for seven weeks and it was an amazing
When faced with the potential defeat, deflation, and fear of experience. Watching the actors and the way it unfolds -they
failing at something new, Debra still took the leap and “found start with nothing but a vision and the next thing you know
a community that challenges me, allows me to grow, and to be it’s a full-blown show.”
more knowledgeable about something I love. I moved to Naples “There were several points when I was shocked by what
knowing that I wanted to spend time volunteering and giving I was doing and what I was capable of. At one point I was
back to my community. It was a massive goal of mine, so as soon moving the roof for Mary Poppins and a 300 lb set piece was
as I saw the Education Assistant volunteer position, I inquired.” flying down from the air at the same time. There are so many

66 Life in Naples | April 2024