Each month, VaHi Patch will sit down with a volunteer who lives, works or volunteers in Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, Morningside, Lenox Park, Lindbergh/Martin Manor and Druid Hills. To nominate a volunteer, e-mail jaclyn.hirsch@patch.com.
By Margarita Delapaz
Virginia-Highland resident Rob Schuler gives his free time to the as part of the Artemis Guild, a young professional’s organization that puts on an annual fundraiser.
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The fundraiser is a semiformal dance that features a silent auction. This year, the group raised more than $122,000.
Patch sat down with Orlando, Fla. native and 15-year seasoned Atlanta resident Rob Schuler, 41.
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Q: How did you get involved?
A: A friend/boss /the old Artemis chair introduced me to the organization in 2008 so I have been helping since Spring ’08 with Lost Oasis. It’s been a great way to connect with the community of Fernbank and support the museum, which I think is one of the cultural gems of Atlanta.
Q: Tell me about the fundraiser.
A: I’m responsible for planning and running the Lost Oasis fundraiser in June. Proceeds go to support the children’s programming at the museum.
The museum staff does a great job. The Artemis staff has full backing of the museum to find donors to continue to be involved.
It’s a great event. This year the theme was Mythic Mambo.
Q: Why do you think it’s important?
A: They don’t receive the state funding and they have a significant impact on the kids of Georgia. But I think that’s one of the great things about the museum is that not only parents and small kids take advantage of the exhibits. Whether you’re a single young adult of a parent with kids you can get a lot of enjoyment out of it. From a community level it’s just knowing that everything goes to children’s programming. At a personal level I’ve had a chance to make some really good friends and been exposed to some wonderful people.
Q: What has been the most interesting part about volunteering?
A: Doing the event through the economic downturn. A lot of companies looked hard at donations; 2009 was very challenging, 2010 things started to come back, 2011 had the second best ever net proceeds, over $122,000 were raised.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy when not volunteering?
A: Running. I’m training for a marathon in March. Going out to Lake Oconee to get out on the water and going to in town festivals.
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