Anderson chosen as Volunteer of the Year

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 24, 2003

For her service in the community, most noticeable in the area of theater and the arts, Janet Anderson was recognized as the Austin Volunteer of the Year at a city banquet Wednesday night.

"She sets her goals high, and will stop at nothing to achieve them," said Mayor Bonnie Rietz, reading from the letter of recommendation submitted by Park Supervisor Tom Graff.

Anderson was given the award at a banquet in honor of all city volunteers. Guests involved in more than 30 area committees and clubs enjoyed desserts and dinner music at the Mower County Senior Center.

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Anderson has been affiliated with many groups and projects around Austin, including the Matchbox Children's Theater, the Summerset Theater, the Planning Commission and the historical preservation and renovation of the Paramount Theater.

"This lady literally, single-handedly, saved that Paramount Theater," Rietz said.

Anderson challenges that statement and said many people have contributed a great deal to all the projects she has worked on.

Nonetheless, you can see by the Paramount button on her lapel and the look on her face, that the Paramount Theater is a project she has taken a lot of pride in. With her background as a theater major and her interest in historic preservation, the chance to work on the project was "too good an opportunity to pass up," she said.

"We don't have buildings like that built anymore," she said. "So it's really a treasure."

After the banquet, Rietz reinforced her statement.

"She saved the Paramount Theater," she said. "She really did, by keeping it on peoples' plates and keeping it going."

Anderson has been volunteering in Austin for more than 28 years. She said the joy of it comes when you see, in the community, the results of your efforts. She said volunteering is important, and if you do not do work around the city, you do not have a right to complain about the way things are.

City council member Gloria Nordin has worked with Anderson at the children's theater and the Somerset Theater. Nordin said it is her ability to follow through on ideas rather than relying on others that makes her such a valuable member of these organizations.

"She'll say, 'Maybe we should try such-and-such,' and then do it or work with you to do it," Nordin said.

On top of that, she has got spirit.

"If she believes in it, you know it," Nordin said. "You can't help but want to work with her because you can see that spark in her eye."

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com