Actress Performs For Idaho Falls Volunteers

Hail to the helping hands.

This week marks National Volunteer Appreciation week, as proclaimed by President Barack Obama.

Idaho Falls is celebrating in a very personal way by flying in a special guest performer from New York City. Her name is Taren Sterry and she will put on a show in the Colonial Theater Thursday night in honor of all volunteers in the city.

Everyone is invited, from The United Way to Mountain View Hospital.

Months of planning have come together perfectly, according to event organizers.

Hospice of Eastern Idaho Executive Director Celeste Eld saw Sterry’s play “180 Days” at a conference last Fall and knew she just had to share it with Idaho Falls.

“It was just so moving and I just thought this applies to every kind of volunteering,” said Eld. “She agreed to come, so I’m really excited.”

“It’s really, really fun and I think the best part is when I play a character and the audience relates,” said Sterry.

So, what is “180 Days”?

Sterry wrote it as a memoir of her six-month stint at a hospice in South Dakota.

It’s a solo play: she has no co-stars.

“It’s fun! I act all the characters. I play myself when I was 25,” said Sterry.

It’s a play that every volunteer can relate to, whether you provide support to a hospice or stack books at the library.

“I get choked up because it really was what we do. It’s how we impact families and families impact us. It’s all about living,” said Eld.

Eld said she’s been waiting for the chance to remind volunteers of just how valuable they really are to the community.

And now, the perfect opportunity to send that message, with, of course, a few laughs mixed in.

“I really hope that they come away maybe a little bit changed,” said Sterry.

Sterry’s play runs for about an hour.

If you’re a volunteer or would just like to get into the spirit of the play, you can catch Sterry’s performance Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Theater in downtown Idaho Falls.

Tickets are $15 or $10 for students.