Dec 3, 2002 By Brandi Lee Szabo For The 3 min read

Fotenie Mongell of Connellsville said she loves volunteering at Fallingwater, “for more reasons than I can count.’ For her work, Mongell was recently honored with the most honorary award for volunteers during a special reception at the Laurel Highlands landmark built by America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

“She is an unbelievable instrument at Fallingwater. She’s always willing to help out in any area. She’s done anything and everything, and she’s always been available and helpful at the last minute and without much notice. She’s just amazing,” said Deborah Ewald, volunteer coordinator.

Mongell, a café hostess volunteer, explained she dedicates her time to the conservancy most of all because it’s a fun place to be.

“I like the people, love the mountains and the staff is exceptionally caring about this place. It’s a fun place to be and a wonderful place to contribute my time,” Mongell said.

Candles lit the way to Fallingwater where more than 40 volunteers gathered for the reception. They were recognized for all they’ve done to support the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) as Wright’s masterpiece was entrusted to the organization in 1963.

“I think it’s wonderful that these people offer their time here. They contribute significantly to the sites,” said Lynda Waggoner, director of Fallingwater and vice president of the WPC.

“Normally, they do things like this, but today, we’re doing it for them,” Wagggoner added while covering a dinner table with cheese plates and desserts.

Ewald explained that she was especially excited about this year’s volunteer reception as Fallingwater officials were featuring awards for the “W-RIGHT” spirit of volunteerism.

“This year is different than the rest. We’ve formalized the award program with certain categories where volunteers will be honored in four categories,” Ewald noted. The recipients, according to Ewald, were recognized for mission, commitment, service and a special commendation.

The special commendation, according to Ewald, was the most honorary award.

Alicia Glassburn, another Connellsville resident, received the service award. A volunteer at Fallingwater for almost three years, she agrees that there’s no better place to dedicate her free time. Glassburn, who works in the museum at Fallingwater, says it’s a place where people are always happy.

“It’s the most wonderful place to meet people because most people who come here are happy. It just makes you feel good to be around good-hearted people,” she said.

She added that she loves to work at conserving the environment and asked where’s there a better place to do that around here?

Sharing the service award was Virginia White of Somerset County but not all the volunteers are local residents. Some come from very far, including Monty Crivella, who won the mission award.

A resident of San Francisco, he’s an occupational psychologist in the Silicon Valley. He comes to the Laurel Mountains for rest and relaxation and volunteers at Fallingwater during those periods.

Richard Liberto, the recipient of the commitment award is a landscape architect from Pittsburgh and volunteers his services whenever they’re needed.

Ewald noted the volunteers come from many different occupations. She said over the years they’ve had doctors, attorneys, business executives and librarians help out as volunteers.

Anyone interested in volunteering at Fallingwater should contact Ewald at 724-329-1441.