"Many decades ago, when I was a small child living in Brooklyn, New York, I saw a documentary about sea turtles," recalls Joanne, a long-time volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. "From that moment on, I never forgot that video, and I've always been fascinated by these incredible creatures."

Joanne, originally from New York, has lived in Greece for the past 40 years. She first learned about the Rescue Centre upon retiring in 2008 and began volunteering here in 2010. "I discovered ARCHELON through a newspaper article many years ago," she explains, "and I had no idea such an incredible organization existed, and so close to my home!"

When Joanne first started volunteering, ARCHELON was a smaller operation. Her duties were varied, including data entry at the Rescue Centre office, assisting with turtle feeding and cleaning, and even contributing articles to the organization's website.

"Things have certainly changed since then," Joanne notes. "ARCHELON has expanded significantly, both in terms of its scope and its facilities." Today, Joanne dedicates every Saturday to volunteering, conducting tours for visitors who come to learn about sea turtle conservation.

"Volunteering at ARCHELON has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," she shares. "Not only do I feel like I'm contributing to the protection of a protected species, but I’ve also had the privilege of meeting incredible people from all over the world, all united by a common goal: to help sea turtles thrive. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to contribute, I wholeheartedly recommend volunteering at ARCHELON. You won’t be disappointed!"

Joanne’s story is a testament to the impact that volunteers have on ARCHELON’s mission. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and the contributions of all our volunteers who make a real difference in the lives of sea turtles. Among Joanne, we have many more dedicated part-time volunteers who have helped the Rescue Centre in great deal. Joanne is one of several dedicated part-time volunteers who contribute to the operations of the Rescue Centre.

• Watch Joanne’s story!
• Watch the video of Nektarios and his story with volunteering at the Rescue Centre. Stay tuned for more stories!

Do you live in Athens and want to contribute to a vital cause? Join our team of passionate volunteers and help us raise awareness about sea turtle conservation in Athens! Find out more here