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The Ameristar hosted the Kansas City MDA telethon again this year. In the past, I have worked on the phone bank team. When someone calls in to make their donation locally, one of the volunteers will answer the phone and take their pledge. It was wonderful to answer the phone and hear the voice of someone moved to donate to the cause. A dose of love and hope with each ring of the phone.
This year, I was assigned to the volunteer sign-in table. There were corporate volunteers, individual volunteers, a fun group from the American Legion and Muscular Dystrophy patients and/or their families. In addition to volunteer check-in, the front table is where the checks and check presenters (for the donations to be presented on air) were signed in. Firefighters from all over the area came in to present their "boot-y" donations. There was one from Cass County who arrived and wasn't on our list. I soon found out, it may be because Cass County hadn't been involved before. This young man took it upon himself to get the station involved this year. Kudos to Cass County for supporting this young man and his desire to support MDA in finding a cure, providing flu shots and sending disabled kids to camp!!!!
In addition the the firefighters, private citizens were coming by to bring in their donations to be counted. A pre-teen named McKenzie was there in her wheelchair to present the $1,000 she raised the day before at her garage sale. Youngsters with their piggy bank money, casino patrons, and fellow volunteers were dropping funds in the fish tank located just inside the auditorium. Raffle tickets for an awesome motorcycle were flying out the door at a mere $5 each.
What a great day!!!
Many motivational speakers encourage people to volunteer to give back and support those in need. Volunteerism is a known to provide health benefits and mood enhancement. I agree with the experts. However, I encourage everyone to also notice the determination, joy and gratitude of your fellow volunteers. Wow, what a rush!!!
