Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Reagan Library looks for volunteers
As part of KPCC's "Season's Givings" series, Kitty Felde talks to a volunteer at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.
Kitty Felde: I'm Kitty Felde with Season's Givings. 2004 was a rough time for retired Air Force veteran Myrna-Lynne Whitney. Her parents died that year, and so did Ronald Reagan.
Myrna-Lynne Whitney: I was really down and friends brought me to the Reagan, to the library for my birthday. And I loved President Reagan. He was my commander-in-chief some of my time in the Air Force, and different friends said, "Why don't you start working there?" I lead tours. And then I work a lot of special events.
Felde: On this day, Whitney is escorting special guests from the VIP parking lot to an auditorium at the Reagan Library. They're here for Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's address to about a thousand invited guests – including former California governor Pete Wilson.
Support for LAist comes from
Whitney: Hi, sir, how are you?
Pete Wilson: Nice to see you.
Whitney: Nice to see you!
Wilson: Thank you.
Tony Chauveaux: We have about 320 to 330 volunteers on our rolls.
Felde: Tony Chauveaux is deputy director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
Chauveaux: There's an interview process and certainly a background check because we're a presidential library and museum. And then there is about an eight-week training period.
In addition, there's an extensive reading list. Books on President Reagan, books on Mrs. Reagan from different viewpoints.
Felde: Why so much homework? Tony Chauveaux says it's the ever inquisitive museum visitors.
Chauveaux: Because they ask all sorts of questions, most of which are not addressed in the labeling on the museum floor.
Support for LAist comes from
Felde: So how important are museum volunteers?
Chauveaux: The bottom line – and we remind them of this as often as we can – is that the Reagan Library cannot remain open were it not for the service that they contribute to us.
Felde: Air Force veteran Myrna-Lynne Whitney says she's proud to serve.
Whitney: We really get such a cross-section of people here and I really enjoy that. And I guess the biggest thing I enjoy is sharing President Reagan with everybody 'cause I admired, respected, loved the man. And when I give my tours, a lot of people say to me, "You make him come to life."
Felde: Myrna-Lynne Whitney usually leads tours every Wednesday morning, though she says she usually spends several days a week volunteering at the Reagan Library. Not that she minds.
Whitney: The only thing I truly, truly regret is I never had the opportunity to meet him.
Felde: If you're interested in volunteering at the library, go to ReaganLibrary.com and click on "Contact Us."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist