Sleep did not come easy for me the night before our big MLK Day event. Concerned with the rumblings I heard from talking to volunteers, that people were coming but hadn’t registered online, I lay thinking that this service literally never ends. I had done all I could before I turned in, but everything leftover kept creeping into my mind. Finally, a thought of surrender to the service I had done came over me, “Everyone will be in their right place.” I fell asleep.
We awoke early to a chilly but clear January morning it was the beginning of a new year. Months of work was about to manifest itself. Students that had been part of the last few weeks of planning showed up to lend a hand setting-up for the day. In just an hour, we placed all the pre-made centerpieces on the 15 circular tables Loaves and Fishes had kindly prepared for us. Additionally, we put together 2 registration tables, one for the reregistered and one for those who had not registered, 8 information booths for each of the volunteer service sites, and made sure that our 2 microphones were working. We just finished as people started to wander in the door.
As I knew that at least some of our participants or groups would not be registered, I stood by the registration table to expedite the process. Four of our service sites were flexible with numbers, I had double checked, and I had a excel sheet of the interested volunteers for the limited service activities. With the three extraordinary people behind the desk, we were able to place our newcomers quickly and proficiently. Moreover, we had a trio of welcomers to smooth out the process. Despite all the preparation, we still had a line! While I was so grateful that this event would be well attended, I tried to balance the wants and needs of the volunteers with those of the service site projects. These six amazing individuals made it possible to start our opening ceremonies only fifteen minutes off schedule. Simultaneously, we replenished breakfast, thanks to Loaves and Fishes once again, switched one of the speakers, and coordinated two games that instigated dialogue amongst all of the different groups that came together.
Wow, without a breath, it was moving forward and the time had come for the Martin Luther King Jr. short film I had put together. There always seems to be technical difficulties of some kind, but as it played and I observed the eyes of those watching and saw a range of emotions that put me at ease: gratitude, insight, curiosity, motivation, sadness and hope. As I felt everyone getting anxious, we were off to our service sites. Each Volunteer Leader transitioned their groups into the service portion of the day, that would make up their next two hours. They had sign-in sheets provided by Hands On Greater Portland, our partner in purpose and liability, and instructions for introductions, as well as reflections. I heard later that some activities needed more time, and some needed less. All I knew was time lept away from me as if it was just as excited as I was.
Almost three-fourths of our participants returned for our closing! We ate lunch and became one for a moment in the willingness and readiness to understand each other. There was a beautiful showcase of the products made, as well as the meaning of what we had just done. Although, there was also supposed to be a slide-show of three to five pictures from each site, I did not have enough time before the conclusion the event to provide this visual closure. However, I did promise that everyone would receive it before the week was out. Instead, we handed over certificates and parting words.
While I write this, I am analyzing all the registrant numbers, placements, and evaluations,. It turns out that we had double the number of participants expected! There were 175 people spread between 8 different service sites. Nonetheless, having spoken to the exiting volunteers and leaders, as well as reading over all the thirty surveys we received from those who gave us feedback and advice for next year, overall the service was worthwhile and full of meaning!
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