Molly Drummond, center, a volunteer photographer with Vital Communities, is congratulated by the nonprofit’s executive director, Tom Roberts, and Valley Food & Farm communications coordinator Becka Warren.
Molly Drummond, center, a volunteer photographer with Vital Communities, is congratulated by the nonprofit’s executive director, Tom Roberts, and Valley Food & Farm communications coordinator Becka Warren. Credit: Allison Rogers Furbish Photograph

White River Junction — As a college student at the Rhode Island School of Design, Molly Drummond majored in painting. But in the past four years she’s delved into photography, taking workshops and sharing her skill with local nonprofits. Recently, the White River Junction resident was honored for her work documenting Vital Communities events.

Drummond received the nonprofit’s Volunteer of the Year award during an open house there on Dec. 2.

A news release from Vital Communities described Drummond as a talented amateur photographer whose contributions over the past several years have been “invaluable.”

“She has photographed numerous events, including our annual Heroes & Leaders dinner, Leadership Upper Valley graduation, and Open House, as well as farmers’ markets, local foods, and beautiful scenes of the Upper Valley,” said Allison Rogers Furbish, communications manager. “Her images, which have graced many of our recent publications, help to tell the stories of the impact Vital Communities makes in the Upper Valley.” She likes working with the nonprofit, Drummond said in an interview. “What they’re doing is really awesome for our community.”

Currently, she’s photographing locally owned businesses that belong to Vital Communities’ Local First Alliance. Like other projects she’s done with the nonprofit, it allows her to focus on her favorite subject, people.

“I’m not a photographer of land or water or sunsets,” said Drummond, who has also done photography for WISE in Lebanon. And as a volunteer, she fills an important niche.

A lot of nonprofits don’t have the funds to hire a photographer, she said. “And it’s my pleasure.”

Aimee Caruso can be reached at acaruso@vnews.com or 603-727-3210.

Do you know an Upper Valley volunteer whose efforts deserve to be recognized in a Volunteer Spotlight story? Send suggestions by email to Volunteers@vnews.com, or by mail to Volunteer Spotlight, Valley News, P.O. Box 877, White River Junction, Vt. 05001. Be sure to include your name and a daytime telephone number. For more information, call 603-727-3221 during regular business hours.