Ellen Kelley 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award
Donna Mello Receives the
Ellen Kelley
2024 Volunteer of the Year Award
The Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year Award is given in recognition of outstanding service to the Houston Symphony league and the Houston Symphony. The Award was established in 1984 and named after its first recipient, Ellen Kelley. The honoree has special qualities of purposeful involvement, the ability to inspire others, meets goals with a vision for the present and the future, hard work in the trenches, productivity, ingenuity and ongoing support and leadership are all important qualities of the recipient.
Donna Mello truly exemplifies these qualities and has been named the recipient of the 2024 Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year Award. Donna is known for positive energy, creativity, and infectious enthusiasm for working with others. She holds a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Houston and served on the prestigious Gourmet Night Committee for three years. As a member of the Consular Ball Committee of Houston (14 years), she worked to strengthen ties between international consulates and the Houston business community. As Chair of the 1996 Consular Ball honoring Italy & raising $70,000 for scholarships, the World Jaycee President presented Donna with “The International JC of the Day” award.
By chance, a publicist suggested that Donna join the Houston Symphony League. Since 1997, Donna has been an enthusiastic League member chairing Student Concert Ushers for eight years (1998-2008), the Instrument Petting Zoo (2016, 2017, 2018), Family Concerts/Event Volunteers (2019), and the Symphony Store (2002). Donna served as Recording Secretary, Vice-President of Service (2008), and Vice-President of Arrangements (2021, 2022). She chaired or co-chaired League Night Out (2016, 2023), the Spring Membership Event (2021), and the Musician/Staff Breakfast (2023).
Donna was a constant presence at the Puppet Shows, Ima Hogg Competitions and Magical Musical Mornings. She volunteers for Family Concert Craft Nights, Membership Renewal activities, the President’s Luncheon, the newly created Concierge Program, the Symphony Ball Silent Auction and wherever “hands” are needed. Donna’s favorite role is with the Instrument Petting Zoo demonstrating how to hold a violin.
Donna has added beauty to League meetings through floral arrangements created with skills learned in her parents’ flower shop. Her creativity as an award winning 22k gold- granulation jewelry artist can also be found in the internationally juried 2013 book Showcase 500 Art Necklaces. Currently, Donna is an Executive Assistant and Office Manager for Utility Global. She attends both classical and POPS concerts and is grateful for the many friends made while volunteering and the new friendships to come!