Service
My stake had a huge service project this weekend. They've been planning it for months. We volunteered at the State Games of America. This included venues for the different games all over the city and thousands of volunteers. We signed up, gave our signature so that they could do a background check then received e-mails on where to be and when. My e-mail had the following information on it: soccer-adult, 7:30a.m.-12:00p.m. Saturday, August 4th at the Air Force Academy soccer fields.
So, I leave my home at 7:00 this morning, drive to the base and park once I get to the soccer fields. There is no one there. Of course, I am a little early as I was unsure how long it would take me to get there. I stand and just watch what is happening around me and notice people all walking in a certain direction. I start to walk and walk and walk and walk, asking people along the way in yellow security shirts where I am suppose to be. After another fifteen minute walk, a talk with a chief security officer, a ride with him in his golf cart, another lonely wait at another soccer tent until another man shows up, gives me a t-shirt, tells me I'm early, tells me to hike up another hill when he realizes I'm not early just still in the wrong place until finally I get to a person who recognizes my name.
Other interesting things that happened today. I was the only volunteer to show up for soccer-adult. We had about five special Olympic volunteers show up who weren't on the list, but did a lot of the work. I spent most of my time just walking and walking and walking, keeping track of any arguments that might be occurring or injuries that weren't reported right away.
We came close but never actually had the lightening siren go off, a beautiful sky filled with clouds and a nice breeze (and mom's voice telling me that even though the sun isn't out you can still get sunburned). We had one pretty bad bone break that included a police car, an air force security Hummer, an ambulance, a firetruck and a forfeit (the other team who was being slaughtered at the moment of the accident). We had two referees walk off in a huff (and I thought only elementary students did that), several spectacular goals (even for this inexperienced soccer fan) and one lowly volunteer who burned her nose, AGAIN, and didn't feel comfortable leaving until things settled down at about 3:30.
I am exhausted, sunburned (although not bad because I listened to that voice in my head), wind blown and- did I mention- exhausted. I am glad I went. Now I am ready for bed.
And it is only 5:30.
So, I leave my home at 7:00 this morning, drive to the base and park once I get to the soccer fields. There is no one there. Of course, I am a little early as I was unsure how long it would take me to get there. I stand and just watch what is happening around me and notice people all walking in a certain direction. I start to walk and walk and walk and walk, asking people along the way in yellow security shirts where I am suppose to be. After another fifteen minute walk, a talk with a chief security officer, a ride with him in his golf cart, another lonely wait at another soccer tent until another man shows up, gives me a t-shirt, tells me I'm early, tells me to hike up another hill when he realizes I'm not early just still in the wrong place until finally I get to a person who recognizes my name.
Other interesting things that happened today. I was the only volunteer to show up for soccer-adult. We had about five special Olympic volunteers show up who weren't on the list, but did a lot of the work. I spent most of my time just walking and walking and walking, keeping track of any arguments that might be occurring or injuries that weren't reported right away.
We came close but never actually had the lightening siren go off, a beautiful sky filled with clouds and a nice breeze (and mom's voice telling me that even though the sun isn't out you can still get sunburned). We had one pretty bad bone break that included a police car, an air force security Hummer, an ambulance, a firetruck and a forfeit (the other team who was being slaughtered at the moment of the accident). We had two referees walk off in a huff (and I thought only elementary students did that), several spectacular goals (even for this inexperienced soccer fan) and one lowly volunteer who burned her nose, AGAIN, and didn't feel comfortable leaving until things settled down at about 3:30.
I am exhausted, sunburned (although not bad because I listened to that voice in my head), wind blown and- did I mention- exhausted. I am glad I went. Now I am ready for bed.
And it is only 5:30.
posted by LaDale @ 4:59 PM
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