2022 DMNA Volunteer of the Year Winner Continues Volunteerism in Spain

Wanda covers graffiti before fresh, colorful images are applied.

Longtime Mill District resident Wanda Ortiz-Maysonet has spent a great deal of time in Spain over the past years. When she's in town she gives freely of her time, and that volunteer spirit is alive and well in Spain where she continues her work, proudly representing Minneapolis while helping improve Spanish communities. Wanda said not long ago very few people there knew about Minneapolis, but now they have great things to say about Minneapolitans.

Wanda been working with volunteer group Asociacion Ambiental Costa del Silencio Limpio in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. They began in September 2023 when the president of their association, Hannelore Ottevaere, posted on Facebook that she was looking for help to clean up around the neighborhood. Since Wanda had already been doing that on her own, it was a perfect opportunity to join forces and she become vice president of the group. Per Wanda, "I believe what we have accomplished is pretty remarkable!"

Wanda (2nd from the left, sporting a hat) and volunteers meet with a councilman.

The start of their mission in 2023.

Through social media, they recruited more volunteers and have about 60 now. "We have people from many different countries, the majority retirees who spend their winters in Tenerife. I’m the only American, and we have people from Italy, Belgium, Uruguay, Germany, Austria, Cuba and a couple from Spain. It seems that volunteerism is not as big a thing with the locals," observed Wanda.

The group concentrates on trash pickup, graffiti removal, and they even installed a Little Free Library (a concept that originated in Minnesota). They've repaired children’s playgrounds and a mini golf course, and have painted murals on old abandoned advertising walls.

Above, the abandoned advertising wall before the project, and below, the completed project.

Learn more about their work on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube - check out the results of their efforts! Always the volunteer, Wanda also maintains the group's social media channels.

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Editor's note: One thing that stands out to me is the absolute joy this work brings to the volunteers. Cheers to Wanda - I feel so very fortunate to know her! :)