Volunteers in the Spotlight:
Reel People

Tom and LaVonne Wontorek

If you attended the first On Screen/In Person film, you know it is an honor for the Rehoboth Beach Film Society to be chosen to participate in this fantastic tour. It is also an honor to work with the many dedicated volunteers who help the Society take part in this type of series. Tom and LaVonne Wontorek are two of the volunteers who came to the Film Society office many times over the summer to review a total of 18 films by filmmakers from all over the country. The review process enabled the selection of films to participate in the On Screen/In Person tour throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2011 and 2012, the Film Society will screen six films as part of the tour, with filmmakers attending the screenings to discuss their work. Being part of this extraordinary project is an excellent opportunity for the Film Society, film-goers and dedicated volunteers like Tom and LaVonne.

But that is not all the Wontoreks do for the Film Society. They began volunteering in 2007 and spend more 75 hours annually helping out in many areas such as delivering posters, flyers and rack cards; maintaining the Society photo album and business directory; helping with pre-Festival ticket sales activities and volunteering during the Festival as well.

“LaVonne and Tom are always willing to help with any task that needs to be done and we can count on them to do a great job”, says Sue Early, Executive Director. “As a team, they are quite an efficient duo.”

The Wontoreks say they enjoy meeting and working with other volunteers and enjoy discussions after screenings.

When the Wontoreks are not spending time with the Film Society, they have many other interests to keep them occupied. LaVonne, an RN for 30+ years and former color consulting business owner, volunteers at Beebe Thrift Shop, the Cape Henlopen Food Basket, Camp Rehoboth, Clearspace Theater and other organizations. She enjoys reading, art, fashion and clothes, travelling to Europe and the Caribbean (LaVonne is a Starbucks fan so she has fun visiting their locations while travelling). She also enjoys spending time with sons Marc and Paul at Broadway shows in New York City and with her daughter Michelle, son-in-law John and their three children in Bishopville, MD. LaVonne says, “…my grandsons keep me young”.

Tom has been a City Manager for 32 years in several states and is currently filling-in part-time for the Town of Fenwick Island. He also volunteers at Clearspace Theater, Cape Henlopen Food Basket and Rehoboth Main Street. Tom enjoys doing family history research, keeping up with current national and international affairs, walking on the beach, planning trips to other countries, stamp collecting and reading.

So when you see the Wontoreks at Starbucks or strolling along the beach -- whether here or some exotic locale -- be sure to discuss film with them. And ask them if they have brought along a Rehoboth Beach Film Society rack card or flyer as a leave behind. ☺