Volunteering: A way of life for Dreama Aldredge4 min read

Dreama Aldredge has volunteered at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center since moving here from Kansas two years ago. When not volunteering, Aldredge enjoys riding her horse Smarty on the many trails in the Verde Valley.
Tom Hood/Larson Newspapers

Volunteering is a way of life for Dreama Aldredge.

After she married her high school sweetheart Fletcher Aldredge, a Texan, and the couple had children in school, Aldredge became a member of the school’s Parent Teacher Association, helped in the classroom and was known as “The Picture Lady” when class photo time came around. She also volunteered with the Humane Society in Kansas City, Kan.

“I’ve always loved volunteering. I was on the humane society board for several years. I’ve always had a passion for animals,” Aldredge said as she prepared to work a shift at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in Uptown.

The Aldredges moved to Sedona from Overland Park, Kan., about two years ago. Aldredge has volunteered at the visitor center almost since she arrived. She also volunteers with the Sedona International Film Festival, the Sedona Arts Festival and at her church.

“When Fletcher and I moved here, it was just natural for me to find an interesting place to volunteer. The visitor center certainly is interesting,” she said. “Sharing my love of Sedona and this area with people from around the world is gratifying. I love helping them enjoy the time they have to spend here to the maximum and finding things they can see and do that will give them great memories.”

Aldredge said it is sometimes difficult because many visitors are only in Sedona for a few hours and want to see and do everything.

Advertisement

“We try to find what would give them the best experience for the time they are here,” she said. “The center is so well run, it makes volunteering a joy. I’ve also made great friends with the other volunteers. They are bright, fun, energetic folks.”

The Aldredges have owned a home in the Sedona area for several years and used to visit. When they became “empty nesters” they moved permanently.

“Like most people, we came for the weather but also the outdoor opportunities,” Aldredge said.

Back in Kansas, the Aldredge household included dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and chickens — everything on four legs, just about, she said.

“I guess chickens only have two,” Aldredge said and laughed.

When they arrived in Sedona, the couple was without pets. They had reluctantly let them go to family and friends. About two months ago, Aldredge’s pet situation changed. She bought a chestnut quarter horse gelding named Smarty.

“We ride almost every day. I love the breed. I’m a quarter horse snob,” she said and grinned. “The trail riding around here is never-ending and every hill, every bend opens up to fabulous scenery whether you’re riding around Sedona or any other place in the Verde Valley. I rode the Lime Kiln Trail once.”

The Lime Kiln Trail is a fairly recent one. It follows an old wagon route farmers in Sedona used to take produce to the miners in Jerome. The nonmotorized trail is about 18 miles between Dead Horse Ranch State Park and Red Rock State Park.

When Fletcher has a break from his work, he and Dreama like to take the trails on foot.

“It keeps us in shape and in touch with nature,” she said.

The conversation turned to Aldredge’s first name, Dreama. She was named after a high school friend of her mother’s.

“I subsequently have had four little girls named after me,” she said. “I named my own children easy names, but there are advantages to having an unusual name.”

Aldredge said she can call someone up after even 20 years and say, “This is Dreama,” and they know who it is.

Aldredge thinks everyone should volunteer in some capacity, especially in an area they have an interest in. There are several opportunities in Sedona, she said.

“I think if everyone gives back, even a little bit, then the world’s just a better place,” she said. “It lifts my spirits to be here at the visitor center. I’m a people person and like to talk and learn about people — a great combination for this job.”

However, she said the center becomes very busy in the fall so there is not much time to chat with the visitors.

“That’s OK,” she said. “I just like to help.”

Larson Newspapers

- Advertisement -