On October 26th, 2019, the East Cobb Branch of AYLUS went the Northeast YMCA to help with their Haunted Hustle. The branch has one member participated the volunteer event, he served from 6:30 am – 10:30 am.
The Haunted Hustle is an annual race hosted at the Northeast YMCA that attracts hundreds of runners of all ages and, in Halloween spirit, of all costumes. The event will help raise money for the School’s Out Lunch Program to help feed and nourish kids in need, who would otherwise go without during the school breaks, East Cobb branch participated many of the ‘Packing Lunch’ program during school breaks. With so many attendees, the event called for many helpers to register runners, set up tables, give out refreshments, guide the runners, and, during the race, manning watering stations.
After finishing the jobs at event headquarter, the member arrived at the turning point for the 5-kilometer race, where he had been assigned to man the watering station. While waiting for the runners to make it to the turning point, the member bagged trash cans and filled water cups with other 4 volunteers. Finally, the runners began appearing, first as a trickle and then a raging torrent. Amid this chaotic situation, the member passed out water and cheered the runners on as they passed the half-way mark. Soon, the 5k runners began to decrease in number and the first 10k runners began to appear. These people were even more tired than the last and gratefully accepted water, both to drink and cool themselves down. Once the last person past the station, the member helped in cleaning up the station. He stacked cones, moved the trash cans, and helped bring containers to the truck.
Seeing the runner’s excitement and joy at receiving water after their tiring run was a great reward for our work. Watching the little kids running such long distances and the older people finishing the race in extreme times was awe-inspiring to us manning the water station. Given the chance to volunteer again, we are sure to and bring more friends to help us and the runners.
Attendance: Maxwell Jiang(4 hrs)
Reported by Maxwell Jiang
East