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Health & Fitness

Why Volunteers Are So Important for Free to Breathe Chelmsford & How You Can Get Involved

Did you know that all Free to Breathe events are 100% volunteer run and organized? There are nearly 40 Free to Breathe events across the country this year, and although we get amazing support and guidance from staff at the National Lung Cancer Partnership, all of the event chairs (myself included) do not plan these events because we are paid to do so. We plan these events because we want to. Many of us work full-time jobs, have families and various other hobbies and commitments but we still make the time to put these events together. We meet with planning committee members (also volunteers), reach out to sponsors, secure financial and food and beverage donations, plan event atmosphere details, reach out to and secure event day volunteers and finish various other tasks that are always popping up, because we are all passionate about the fight against lung cancer.

Of course the volunteer event chairs and planning committee members are an extremely important part of the event, but the event day volunteers are just as important. Without them, our event could not go on, regardless of how much planning we did ahead of time. The event day volunteers are truly what makes our event come together. They arrive early in the morning, some as early as 6:30am, and help to put everything together so that we are ready for when participants start to arrive. Then they help with various tasks throughout the event to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

As our event continues to grow each year, we are always looking for additional event day volunteers. Here are a few reasons why YOU should consider being an event day volunteer for Free to Breathe Chelmsford:

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1. Whether you are looking for some community service hours (maybe for school or church requirements) or just looking to get involved in the community, this is a great volunteer opportunity right in your backyard!

2. There are many volunteer opportunities including set up and clean up, helping with registration, silent auction or donations, setting up and handing out food, helping at water stops and cheering on participants along the route.

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3. You can sign up to volunteer with your friends and/or family and we will try our best to schedule you all together at the same task!

4. Volunteering at Free to Breathe Chelmsford is FUN! We try to make this experience as fun as possible for our volunteers and provide you with all the knowledge and tools you will need. We also provide lots of cool noisemakers for those cheering on participants along the route! J

5. You get a really cool bright orange event staff t-shirt!

6. Most importantly, you get to help out a great cause!

If you are interested in volunteering at our 4th annual event on Sunday, September 22, 2013 (shifts from approximately 6:30am-noontime), please email event chair Becky Jacobson at FreetoBreatheMA@gmail.com by Thursday, August 29th for more information!

We look forward to hearing from you!


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