Emma Lewis loves the arts and loves being helpful.

        And she has found a way to combine the two passions.

        She's a frequent volunteer at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, where her duties include tearing ticket stubs for those entering the theater, ushering people to their seats, working in the coat room or greeting patrons.

Emma Lewis of College Hill has been volunteering at the Arnoff Center for five years. (Mike Simons photo)

        Every third Thursday, the mother of three grown children and five grandchildren can be found at the Playhouse in the Park, where she has volunteered off and on for about eight years.

        She started out as an usher, but now she is usually a ticket taker. She's also been a regular volunteer at Music Hall for five years.

        For nearly three months this spring, Ms. Lewis worked with organizer Hannah Thomas preparing for the African-American Heritage Days held on Fountain Square in May.

        She addressed envelopes and prepared mailings for donations, booth rentals and vendors; contacted potential parade participants; accompanied Ms. Thomas when she talked about the festival on radio programs; and spent hours passing out fliers.

        “I can pretty much do all the volunteer jobs now,” said Ms. Lewis, who has worked full time at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center for 22 years. “I'm just there to help. I'm willing to do anything they need me to do. I enjoy the work, and the performances are wonderful.”

        She's been a familiar face at the Aronoff Center for more than five years. She's usually there helping out for several performances a month.

        On Sundays, she's an usher at the Bethlehem Baptist Church on North Crescent Avenue, Avondale, and she attends the ushers' board meetings each month.

        She often gives a neighbor a ride to church, picks up her elderly mother and tries to be available when neighbors need help.

        “I like doing these things,” Ms. Lewis said. “They allow me to help out, do a service for the public and meet a lot of people. And I get to see a lot of cultural events where I'm volunteering. That's a good payment.”

        Meghan Kaskoun, volunteer manager of the Aronoff Center, which is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association, said Ms. Lewis is a very reliable and valuable asset.

        “She'll readily answer the call for help,” Ms. Kaskoun said. “She works with the patrons very professionally, very courteously and is very receptive to their questions and their needs.

        “Emma's been with us since February 1996. She's among hundreds who volunteer here and give of their service. Without the volunteers, we could not provide the services that we do.”

        Do you know a Hometown Hero — someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place to live and helping others? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net or fax to 513-755-4150.
       

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