If you see that sparkle in the eyes of Marine Discovery Center volunteer Kim O’Connell, it could be because the former middle-school teacher is watching excited children come through the doors of the center. Or it could be because she is talking to guests about the many activities they can do or ways they can get involved at MDC.
A native of northwest Indiana, Kim’s family has visited the New Smyrna and Southeast Volusia County area for more than 100 years. Family records show that her grandfather vacationed as a child with his parents in this region since 1912.
Kim graduated from Purdue University with a degree in business. She went on to marry, have children, move to Atlanta and eventually settle in Florida, where she now spends free time volunteering, playing pickleball and mahjong.
Get to know Kim, who talks about her volunteer experience at MDC with staff writer Lisa D. Mickey:
What made you switch from business to education as a profession?
Once you have kids, you want to be on the same schedule. It was easy for me to work at the pre-school and later as a substitute teacher in the elementary school. Then, I decided to go back and get my master’s degree in education because I didn’t have the teaching background. Teaching offered the perfect schedule for raising kids.
How and when did you get involved as a volunteer at MDC?
I started volunteering at MDC in 2024, when I retired from teaching science at Creekside Middle School in Port Orange. My uncle was a member here and I had brought my classes here for field trips, so I knew about Marine Discovery Center. Another reason was one of my best friends, Barbara Cole, was already here volunteering. We have worked here together for almost two years.
You and Barb always seem to have fun during your volunteer shifts at the Welcome Desk.
We do and we like to wear matching outfits. I also like to help with occasional MDC field trips, as well as volunteer with special events held on the weekends.
Don’t you create oyster-shell art that is sold in MDC’s gift shop?
Yes, I make Mod Podge oyster shells and donate them to the center. Since I started making them, we have raised more than $1,500 for MDC. I get the oyster shells from our conservation department and at Christmas time, we turn them into hanging ornaments. My husband Tom just retired last October, so we are learning this retirement thing together. He volunteers at the VFW, so he’s been helping them, but he also does all of the rock painting at MDC and donates his painted rocks to the center.
Why do you want to volunteer?
I think giving back is important. My husband and I have a house in North Carolina where we go in the summer and I volunteer there at the Brevard Music Center. I just look for places that have the ideas and missions that I’m interested in and give my time to help them become a better place. I’m also on the Images Patron Committee with Atlantic Center for the Arts and help with that big street art show every year in New Smyrna Beach.
How can you use your teaching skills to help at MDC?
I taught for 20 years in Atlanta and here, so that that helps me impart knowledge. I also generally know what excites kids and what they would think is cool. Behavior-wise, I have a handle on helping to get them reigned in and focused on what we are doing.
What do you enjoy most about Marine Discovery Center?
I guess just opening up people’s eyes to the different ways that we are helping the ecosystem and the lagoon. I try to get guests excited about what we are doing and to learn ways they can help. I have two adult sons who live in Atlanta and every time they come down here, they either want to go out on MDC’s kayak or boat tours.
What do you think is the biggest challenge of a nonprofit?
Money and learning the best ways to raise funds and awareness. I think marketing is so important for a nonprofit.
What’s your impression of MDC’s growth?
We have definitely outgrown our space, so our next mission of getting a new building is really important in allowing us to continue to grow.
What do you hope to give our guests at the Welcome Desk when they walk through the door?
A lot of people confuse us with the Marine Science Center, so we just talk about MDC’s mission and the things we are doing here in education, conservation and restoration. We don’t charge admission to see our exhibits. I try to find out if they are visiting, local and what they are interested in doing? If guests are local, one of the first things I do is give them a membership application. We also walk them around the center and show them things and suggest that they to go on one of our boat tours.
How do you think MDC can be even better in the future?
Just expanding our location will make MDC more effective. That will allow for more exhibits, which will drive more people to visit. The more things you can offer, the more people want to come visit. It’s a Catch-22. You must offer more to get more.
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