Be A Volunteer

A person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service is the definition of a volunteer.  This person performs a service willingly and without pay.

This past weekend was the ultimate example of volunteerism so be sure to express your thanks to anyone you know who helped to make the Trucker’s Parade Against Cancer a success.

At the beginning of any project, there are volunteers who meet and work out plans to be executed for that project.  TPAC volunteers met and set their goals for the giant trucks to once again grace our county roads as a money-raising project for cancer research.

IN MEMORY banners for those who lost their battle to cancer and IN HONOR banners for those who beat cancer or are still battling it, says it all.

One cannot watch these trucks roll by without a tear for those we remember or a prayer for those who valiantly fight their cancer challenge each day.

This reporter was delighted to read the number of IN HONOR banners this year.  That means that doctors and researchers are getting closer to a cure each year.  There is more hope now than ever before!

Without trying to come up with names, this reporter looked at the crowd that gathered last Saturday and thought about how the volunteers contribute.  It’s awesome!

There were folks cooking Brunswick stew, roasting hot dogs on a grill, and putting barbeque on buns for the gathering crowd.  There were also numerous cooks who contributed delicious pies and cakes for the dessert tables. There were volunteers cutting the pies and cakes and handling all the desserts.

Tents were everywhere one looked!  Tents had to be set up with tables and chairs for the meal, tents for the serving lines, tents to shelter the silent auction items, a tent for the DJ, a tent to cover prizes for the drivers, and a tent for those selling T-Shirts.  Volunteers behind the scenes accomplished all of this before the event began!

Someone had to dunk hundreds of drinks in ice so they would be cold.  Volunteers were busy selling T-shirts and had donated many items for the silent auction bidders.

In another part of the yard, Willie, a local barber, was busy shaving heads.  The challenge of a trucking company set this up.  They agreed to donate $100 to TPAC for every head shaved.  Four women, including Management, stepped up to the plate, along with forty-eight men.  That was some money-making challenge!

As the giant trucks pulled in, volunteers were checking them in, drying off their front grills, and attaching the banners.  I was amazed at the number of people pitching in to “get the job at hand” done and done well!

Volunteers had sold chances on a donated quilt before that day and the lucky name was drawn.  Cakes and other items were auctioned and the bidding for certain cakes was quite entertaining.

During mealtime, photo sessions, live and silent auctions, etc., no rain fell.  As soon as the drivers headed for their trucks, a light rain began.  What great timing!

That morning, my Hubby said, “Cancer doesn’t take a day off,” indicating to me that we shouldn’t let a little rain keep us from volunteering for this good cause.

A highlight of the day was our own “Miss Virginia” who joined in the festivities.  What a lovely girl and so personable! Of course, we all let her know that she should have been “Miss America.”  She really was a delight and beautiful, too!

Again, a hearty thank-you to all volunteers who helped last Saturday and to those who daily lend a helping hand!