The Spirit of the Volunteer

It never ceases to amaze me, the giving that comes from volunteers I’ve been blessed to know and work with through the years. Tonight, I got a little closer to a couple of folks who volunteer their time for local organizations- LOTS of time. Their names are Dick and Carolyn Sukey, and without them, non-profit organizations like the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association (my former employer) would have a huge struggle getting the job done. We used to say, “We’re a small staff doing big things,”, and the reason we were able to accomplish big work was the multitude of giving people who stepped in everyday to help us out.
The Sukeys set a great example. They see it as an honor and privilege to give their time and talents. They will be the faces of the upcoming debate events, alongside at least 800 others who want to supplement the hired staffs who are already working very long hours in preparation for the events over the next weeks. One chamber staff member told me how grateful they are that we are telling the stories of the “behind the scenes” work that is going on right now. She said that many people think it all starts on January 10th, but it doesn’t. It’s been going on, day in and day out, for months now.
When all is said and done, at least 3200 man hours will be performed by volunteers. That’s 800 volunteers working at least one shift four hours long. I am told that’s likely an underestimate- that many volunteers will work many more hours and shifts. What a gift!

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