The McGhee Foundation owes much to the generosity and support of its volunteers. Foundation volunteers serve as docents for house tours, gardeners, library and archives workers, and staff for special events. These volunteers are coordinated by the Director of Volunteer Services, which itself is currently a volunteer position.

The McGhee Foundation welcomes additional volunteers to assist with certain operations. For a description of these volunteer opportunities, please see below.

Library Volunteers

The McGhee Foundation seeks volunteers to help the Foundation archivist complete the cataloging and reorganization of the McGhee Library. Tasks include data entry of bibiographic information into the Library cataloging software, reshelving sections of books, and transfer of books from storage into the Library. Previous library experience is not necessary, but a love of books is highly encouraged. There is no minimum time commitment required to volunteer.

To volunteer in the McGhee Library, or for further information, please contact Foundation Archivist Michele Tourney by phone at 540.687.3743 or by e-mail at mtourney@farmersdelight.org. Please note that internship opportunities in the Library are also available.

Archives & Museums Volunteers

The McGhee Foundation Archives & Research Facility offers volunteers a chance to work with the personal papers of Ambassador McGhee, as well as his various artifact collections from around the world. Volunteers can arrange and describe the Ambassador's correspondence, assist the archivist in digitizing the photograph collections, research the history of Farmer's Delight Plantation, catalog artifacts, and perform preservation tasks on all collections. Previous experience is not necessary, as the archivist will supervise all activities. There is no minimum time commitment required to volunteer.

To volunteer in the McGhee Foundation Archives & Research Facility, or for further information, please contact Foundation Archivist Michele Tourney by phone at 540.687.3743 or by e-mail at mtourney@farmersdelight.org. Please note that internship opportunities in the Archives and Museums are also available.

Gardeners / Farm-hands

The McGhee Foundation welcomes volunteers to assist with weeding, trimming, and planting throughout the extensive grounds at Farmer's Delight. Green thumbs are not necessary, but are helpful.

To volunteer to help tend the gardens at Farmer's Delight Plantation, or for further information, please contact our Director of Community Relations and Events Sandy Danielson by phone at 540.687.3743 or by e-mail at sdanielson@farmersdelight.org.

Also, if you are interested in helping to maintain the trees at Farmer's Delight Plantation, please contact Ms. Danielson.

Special Events Staff

When The McGhee Foundation holds a special event such as a garden party or the annual benefit, it relies on volunteers to help with such tasks as valet parking, tours, check-in/check-out, etc. In exchange for volunteering, individuals are given complementary admission to the events, some of which require ticket purchase or are invitation-only. Volunteers typically rotate through different tasks throughout the evening so that they may mingle with other guests.

To volunteer for any of The McGhee Foundation's special events, or for further information, please contact our Director of Community Relations and Events Sandy Danielson by phone at 540.687.3743 or by e-mail at sdanielson@farmersdelight.org.