OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER: I use the term volunteer for everyone in our gang -musicians, elves, warehousers, teamsters, event gangs, creatures and even Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
We felt like the kids who for the first time, got to stay home while their parents went on a vacation. I'm not sure if we were good boys and girls and did not use the stove while Mom and Dad were away. Or, we were fun loving teenagers that started a party as soon as Mom and Dad's tail lights were out of sight, and continued through last night. Of course we cleaned up all of the mess and all traces of the party before they returned. I think it feels like a little of both..it feels really good. Mom and Dad will be proud.
I know that during the season, we sometimes feel there may be enough volunteers for an event or duty, and we can stay home. It is true that sometimes there are, and sometimes there are not.
This week felt different to me in that, everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) must have said to them selves, "I have to go because there won't be enough people to make the event a success if I stay home."
Everyone seemed to have our 'Peeps' in their hearts. Our turn out at every event was as good, if not larger than weeks past. Strong event staff, volunteers dressing as creatures (with no prior experience),
Tons of raffles (Harbor School), big horn sections, lots of singers, good back band... what is better than that.
We visited two new events this week, as well as a few old favorites. From where I was standing, everyone had a great time!
There were volunteers that showed up for the first time ever, simply to help out in the week we needed them the most. There were volunteers who I'm sure gave up something they probably couldn't (or shouldn't), simply to make one event happen. (I would love to hear the excuses our bosses heard this week.) There were familiar faces that we see providing the foundation... Amazing!
I know why everyone pushed it this week. You know too. Because, at some moment at one of these events, we have all heard Dana sing Silent Night at Lakeview School, or - we saw the kids at Harbor School hugging Santa with all they had, or - the folks at University Behavioral sing Jingle Bell Rock to us, or Theresa at University Behavioral sings 'One Little Christmas Tree' and hits it out of the park, or Deidre starting the show at Woodbridge with 'Jingle Bell Rock', or - having a rockin' time with our Peeps from ARC last night (Germain sings 'Most Wonderful Time' WELL complete with modulation), or - any number of our volunteers with tears in their eyes at times throughout each event... I only mentioned 1 or 2 miracles out of a couple of events just this week. Each event has many miracles that unfold right before us... Where else on this earth would you want to be? We are so lucky that not only could we dream we would have this opportunity, but we actually are blessed with living it.
Almost done...
I agree with many of what Tim says. Especially the part about not singling any one volunteer out. Everyone gives all they have all the time. That being said, I gotta tell you Donna Edington is amazing. I got a whole new perspective on Donna this week. This lady does a ridiculous amount of work and all for our peeps AND us.
Donna: Organizes the flow of the show between the band and the creature guests/ elves and the raffles and the Disco Santas and the music books and the costumes and the 12 days.
Then: On the bus Donna makes sure we are fed, (well) all newbies are wrapped in swaddling Holex wear, we can get tour shirts, Count Basie/ NJPAC tix, buy CD's, Organizes our Comp tickets.
And in my ten years -Donna has not missed a show (sorry... event)
I wanted to publicly say Thanks to Donna. I am glad she stayed back with the kids, and I'm glad she's on our side.
Hell of a week... nice work!
Love,
Jim
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