Exploring Buffalo Volunteers make it possible

BY DANIEL CURRY

Celebrating ten years since its founding, Explore Buffalo is a nonprofit organization that creates and leads tours across Western New York. The organization’s spine is made up of passionate docents, frequently retirees who love sharing their knowledge and love for Buffalo with visitors and locals alike.

Tom Mudra retired in 2006 and was looking for something to do; he began work as a docent the following year after he answered an ad in a local paper and was, he says affectionately, “immediately roped in. Once you volunteer for something, they got you,” says Mudra. “You learn a heck of a lot about the city and your community.”

In 2012, Mudra and a few others created Explore Buffalo to bring awareness to the incredible sites in our city. Though Mudra is no longer an active docent, he says that his time as a guide connected with his community and taught him even more about his hometown. Becoming a docent does require training and dedication, but the process is simple and worthwhile.

“Sign up as a volunteer at explorebuffalo.com. The first part of the process is a telephone interview that explains what Explore Buffalo is about,” Mudra says. “Then there is a twelve-week training program where you learn about tours and how to give them, as well as a comprehensive history of Buffalo.” A fee is required for written materials and a tour microphone. Once training is complete, docents choose tour times based on their availability.

“People can also volunteer to be a tour assistant,” Mudra says. “They pretty much walk in the back of the group and make sure that there are no stragglers. So that’s a good opportunity for someone who wants to volunteer but isn’t necessarily comfortable giving a tour. We have all sorts of volunteers at Explore Buffalo.”

Kathy Pollock is celebrating her ninth season with Explore Buffalo and is active in both planning tours and training docents. “You should never stop learning and exploring, but the older you get, you have less opportunity for challenges and to meet new people and do new things,” she says. “I want to encourage people to sign up for tours, walk around the city, and take advantage of the things that are out there. With Explore Buffalo, I made lasting friendships. It’s amazing that you find new things that you enjoy. The thing I love most is sharing stories of Buffalo, its rich history and architecture. I get to do that with people from around the world.”

Like Pollock, Larry Mruk is a current docent who began after retirement and shares love for his hometown, learning,