Tom Donnelly Sets Things Up Nicely

It was about four years ago when I began helping build sets at the Theatre, building sets for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.  My wife, Robin, and I moved to the island  fulltime from the Sacramento area about five years ago but had enjoyed property here since 1989. I’m not exactly sure what prompted me to volunteer at the Theatre, but now when they want to build sets, I just help.

I’m a retired pediatrician who loves to work with tools. I’m handy but not a craftsman. Even though I like that I don’t have to plan too much and often end up just asking what needs to be done, there are times when one can become really creative and solve problems to make something fit just right.  I think the most complex project I worked on was the very technical, elaborate The Music Man. It was like a big puzzle and great fun to see that it worked.

It’s also really gratifying to work with such great people. It’s amazing to see the amount of talent on this island.  It’s just a great Theatre--quite remarkable.  I feel like I’m really part of the community now and can come to the Theatre and recognize people, and maybe even, they me.  I really do get a lot of personal enjoyment out of volunteering. Plus you laugh, create, tear apart and start over again.

Robin and I both do a lot of volunteering.  She’s a San Juan Island Beach Watcher and I’m a beach watcher “wannabe”.  We’re part of the San Juan Island Trail Committee and helped build the trails (on over 400 acres) near Roche Harbor. We also do road cleanup.

I think when you live in a small town, the more you get involved and do, then the more the town becomes yours.

Thank you, Tom, for touching lives at SJCT.