Tomorrow, 6/22, will see the event of 2024 Joint Picnic and Culture Fest at the NJ Overpeck County Park Amphitheater. The organizers of the event include mainly the 33 Chinese college and university alumni associations in Greater New York Area. This event will feature delicious food, live music, performances, games, sports, cultural exhibitions, a raffle gifts, and many other activities. We anticipate over 800 attendees, with more than 100 volunteers involved in the preparation and operation of this event.
When I mentioned the number of volunteers to someone, they asked, "Why do you need so many volunteers? What are you talking about in these meetings?” After explaining the extensive work involved in just one section, they cut me off, saying, "Cut it out. I don't want to listen to it."
Reflecting on my involvement in preparing for the event in the past few months, I deeply appreciate the hard work of all the volunteers. To give you an idea of the scale of this project, our volunteers divided into several sections:
- Design and Coordination
- Sponsors
- Finance
- Advertising
- Security
- Performance
- Stage and Equipment
- Prizes and tickets
- Food and Meals
- Vendors
- Cultural Corner
- Dating Corner
- Career Corner
- Brain Teaser Games
- Children's Games
- Adult Games
- Alumni Exhibitions
- Transportation
- Photography and record
- Media
- Volunteer Gear
- Purchasing team
- Location decoration
- Legal Team
- Check-in Team
Each task is managed by a dedicated leader. With over 33 participating alumni associations, each association has a contact person to ensure smooth communication and coordination.
The preparation work is immense and thorough, and I can't imagine completing it without the selfless work and time of our vast volunteer teams. Their commitment to giving their time and energy is truly commendable and essential to making this event a success. As the Chinese saying goes, "人多力量大" (rén duō lì liàng dà – Strength comes from unity). Our volunteers embody this spirit, demonstrating that when many people come together, their combined efforts can achieve remarkable results.
Working behind the scene, I see clearly that our volunteer spirits are the engine and the heartbeat of this event. Our efforts go beyond just tasks and responsibilities; we are building a community, fostering connections, and creating a space where cultures and values can be celebrated and enjoyed by all. Every hour spent, every detail attended to, and every smile shared contributes to its success.
To me, it is more meaningful than an event. It is a celebration of the incredible spirit of volunteerism. Together, we are creating fun and memories, and strengthening the bonds that bring us together — and where every moment is a testament to the power of collective efforts and the glorious spirit of volunteerism that we all value in a community.