As a volunteer for numerous organizations in the Lehigh Valley, Ann Knerr remembers this phrase to keep in mind: “Volunteer for the benefit of all and it will benefit you in unexpected ways.” Knerr says her own work has benefited her tremendously since she began volunteering in 1996 with ArtsQuest during Musikfest. Knerr enjoys hearing the stories of the volunteers she is working with and always appreciates the gratitude from staff and visitors, which makes her honored to live and volunteer in the Valley.
Knerr is a member of the ArtsQuest Performing Arts Board and chairs the Cinema Committee, in addition to being on the all-volunteer board of the SouthSide Film Festival. Knerr helps wherever she is needed, whether that be jurying and promoting the festival or pitching in with photography and social media. “I'm especially proud of helping to create the first annual Lehigh Valley Women's Filmmaker Panel in 2017,” says Knerr, who is also on the board of FIFO, a film production consortium group based in Easton. Knerr volunteers outside the Valley, too. In New York City, Knerr donates her time to Tribeca Film Festival in the filmmaker department and serves as the official photographer for the Big Apple Film Festival. Many people often ask Knerr why she volunteers for so many organizations. “First, I have a passion to help build a prominent film community,” she says. “Second, even though some think of the Lehigh Valley as small individual towns, collectively you get to know so many people who can contribute to the community as a whole.”
