Volunteer Opportunities

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    JOIN THE TAKE THE LAKE P.D.!

    (Physical Department)

    Take the Lake has quickly turned into a sizable event, with an expected 1,200 participants this year, and a whole lot of opportunities for volunteering fun.

    Below is a (chronological) list of 16 areas in which we really could use some help. Pick one or a couple, and then give us some contact information at the end.

    Please know that you are not really committing yourself at this point, just showing interest. We'll contact you as the event nears and you can let us know at that time if your schedule is still open. OK? Good.

    Also, if you don't want to be restricted to any position, or if you're just pretty much up for anything, just check this box and we'll call you at our most dire moments. (Want to check the "Just call me..." box and a few others? Go ahead! Works for us.)


    NOTE: If you are a Columbus County senior, you may wish to work directly with RSVP, as we often request the fine services of RSVP senior volunteers. Just contact Melody Prevatte, at 642-7141, ext. 294, and ask her to put you on the Take the Lake list!

    1. Hang 'Take the Lake' posters 

    Vols. Needed: Open
    When: June & July
    Where: In your home town
    Time Commitment: An hour or two


    We need to get the word out, and you, our advance forces can help! Please help us hang posters in storefronts throughout your town, or in your workplace or worship–place, or school, etc.

    In Columbus County, we need these towns covered:
    - Fair Bluff
    - Chadbourn
    - Tabor City
    - Buckhead
    - Bolton
    - Acme-Delco-Riegelwood
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    2.  Mark the trail

    Vols. Needed: 2
    When: Late August
    Where: Along the state park trail
    Time Commitment: About 2 hours each of 2 days

    ASSIGNED: 
    Boy Scout Troop 513 
    & Cub Scout Pack 507

    We'll hold Take the Lake X-TREME! the weekend before Labor Day weekend, and we'll need to mark the state park trail before then to all but eliminate the chance of someone getting lost. 

    We'll have several hundred of those little, wire landscaper flags for you to plant every 100 feet or so, and take back up the week after Take the Lake. 

    It'll be like you're planting seeds; planting seeds     of fitness for Columbus County! 
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    Thanks Troop 513 & Pack 507!

    Whiteville Boy Scouts and Hallsboro Cub Scouts will help make sure no one gets lost on the trail. Thank you Asst. Scoutmaster Linda Tyree for organizing this!
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    3. Hang the doors

    Vols. Needed: 2-4
    When: Early July & Mid-August
    Where: All the roads around the Lake
    Time Commitment: 2 hours
    We like to remind the kind people around the Lake that we are coming, and ask their help in refreshing and cheering our participants. So we hang about 550 door-hangers on doors on Waccamaw Shores, Canal Cove, Lake Shore and Bella Coola. It's a nice hike, and you meet a lot of people. Come join us!
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    4. TTL X-TREME! 

    Vols. Needed: 5-10
    When: August 25, all day
    Where: At the Lake dam and at Dale's
    Time Commitment: 1 hour or more

    With the introduction of TTL X-TREME! where participants complete all four Personal Endurance Challenges in a single day, we have new opportunities for support volunteers. Most of the help will be needed near Dale's Restaurant, where most of the PECs start and finish.

    We'll need to record participants' times, and provide help where we can. For everything else, these athletes will pretty much be on their own.

    New in 2013 - we are building a large (48-foot-wide) tote board to track progress, which means we'll need a better idea of, well, progress. Live on the Lake? Would you like to hang out in your front lawn and tell us when participants pass by? We need your help!
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    5. Signs

    Vols. Needed: 1
    When: Labor Day Weekend 
    Where: Around Lake Waccamaw
    Time Commitment: A few hours, on & off

    We have banners and signs, and all kinds of odds and ends that need to be taken care of, and Harry Foley is just the man to take care of things. Want to be on his crew? Check the box!
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    6. Water

    Vols. Needed: 2
    When: Labor Day Weekend 
    Where: Around Lake Waccamaw
    Time Commitment: Several hours, on & off

    Water is the lifeblood of Take the Lake, and the real challenge is to have it where and when our participants need it. 

    Starting in 2013, we plan to have cold water every mile, on the mile, and we need a small crew to deliver it.

    Want to be a vital part of TTL? 
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    7. Starting is the hard part - Help us kick off each PEC

    Vols. Needed: 12
    When: Labor Day Weekend (see below)
    Where: Lake Waccamaw State Park Visitors Center
    Time Commitment: 1 hour or more

    There is always a bustle of activity about a half-hour before each Personal Endurance Challenge, as hundreds of people show up and sign up and pick up their numbered bibs. 

    Things should be easier on everyone this year as we are accepting online waiver "signatures," but it's usually an exciting time, so join the party!
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    8.  We flip for fruit!

    Vols. Needed: 1-2
    When: Saturday 10 a.m. (& prep time)
    Where: State Park Visitors Center
    Time Commitment: 5-6 hours
    Our fruit cones - fresh, cool fruit packed in a waffle ice cream cone - are a hit, and you could be the most popular person around! 

    We need someone to buy the fruit, cut it up and serve it. We have an ingredients list, and donations pay for them, so you just do the (fun) work.


    9. About time! - Help us keep the records

    Vols. Needed: 5-10
    When: Labor Day Weekend
    Where: At start locations of each PEC

    ASSIGNED: 
    BB&T

    It sounds simple, really. We use computer software to record every participant's time as they cross the finish line, but we have four PECs with hundreds of participants, and it's very important that we don't mess this up.

    So, we think this will work best if a group of people would take charge of the whole timing system. The software is very easy to use, but the task is complicated a bit since we'll match up registration information for each participant. 

    Any business, organization or other group that could roust about 6-12 people for that weekend would enjoy tremendous status as the Take the Lake Timing Team. 

    You also get to hand out the JAMAs -– awesome little awards that everybody's collecting -– and you will see more smiles each day than you usually see all year!

    The fine folks at BB&T -- sticklers for details, all of 'em -- have taken this project on, and we are thrilled! 
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    10. Wardrobe Department 

    Vols. Needed: 4 (1-2 at a time)
    When: Labor Day Weekend
    Where: At start locations of each PEC
    Time Commitment: About 4 hours each

    ASSIGNED:
    Tesa Bush

    T-shirts. Everybody wants them, and we'll have hundreds of them to sell. 

    We are fortunate to have Tesa Bush volunteer to head our "wardrobe department," but she sure could use some help now and then. She is great fun to work with, and everyone around her has a lot of fun. How about you?
     
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    11. Party at your place!

    Vols. Needed: You, your Fam, Buds & Coworks
    When: All weekend
    Where: Any house along the TTL route
    Time: A few hours

    ASSIGNED: 
    You!

    We want you to enjoy yourself at one of the 500 homes around Lake Waccamaw Labor Day weekend. Let's look at this party in three parts:

    1. The Street - As walkers pass by Saturday morning, or cyclists Sunday afternoon, hand them some water or light snacks or something. It's fun!

    2. Front Yard - Make up cheer signs to encourage participants. Or promote your church, school organization or even business –- the more, the merrier, and, heck, tacky isn't so bad either! We believe these signs will distract our participants and help them achieve their goals.

    3. Back Yard - This is where you throw the party. Invite your family, friends or coworkers -- it's a great time for reunions of family, college, military friends or any group. The bigger your party, the more potential participants for us, so think big!

    Don't forget the paddlers Sunday morning - they need cheering, too!

    And don't forget about this year's "COP" theme, so spread the word throughout your yard to celebrate law enforcement, criminal justice and corrections! 

    If you have an "COP" family member, friend or coworker you would like to honor, hang a photograph or other tribute for everyone to see.
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    Chadbourn & Tabor City middle schools offered comfy chais for quick rests - greatly appreciated!
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    Take the party out back Sunday morning and cheer 100+ paddlers as they pass by!
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    No need to sign up for this one; just rally your fam, buds & coworks, and party!


    12. Water supply

    Vols. Needed: 2-5 over two days
    When: Saturday morning & Sunday afternoon
    Where: Along south shore of Lake Waccamaw
    Time Commitment: About 6 hours
    ASSIGNED: 
    Boy Scout Troop 500

    We'll need water in the park, along the trail.

    Doug Sasser, leader of Boy Scout Troop 500 in Hallsboro has offered to help organize this effort.


    13. Dam Good Help - Help out a bunch of bikers

    Vols. Needed: 2-4 over two days
    When: Saturday morning & Sunday afternoon
    Where: The dam
    Time Commitment: About 2 hours

    ASSIGNED: 
    Steve Smith
    (could use help!)

    The dam crossing the Waccamaw River wasn't built for bicyclists (or even walkers) to easily cross it, so we build a simple ramp and "bridge" for our Bike & Hikers and Run / Walkers. 

    But it's still tricky, so they can use a little guidance and helping hands. We have been fortunate to have a dedicated crew here, but even they can use a little help. 

    On Saturday, we just need people to say "watch your step" a few hundred times, and to help anyone who needs it. But Sunday is a little more of a challenge.

    Steve Smith has done this a few years, now, and he said, "I've never been thanked so much!" 

    Steve will head this up this year, but anyone is welcome to help.
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    14. Paddle Patrol - Join the Take the Lake Navy!

    Vols. Needed: Open
    When: Sunday & Monday mornings
    Where: On Lake Waccamaw
    Time Commitment: About 4-5 hours


    During the Paddle and Swim Personal Endurance Challenges, we really like to have as many "friendly" boats on the lake as we can. So sign up to spend a nice day on the water. 

    We rarely have trouble, but if we do, you'll be there to help, or to make a quick phone call and get help! 

    Contact Charles King for more information, at: 653-5161
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    15. Finish Line Fun
    Be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

    Vols. Needed: 2-4 (plus more, for fun!)
    When: Late Sunday & Monday mornings
    Where: Dale's Sunday & Dale's or the Dam Monday
    Time Commitment: About 3-4 hours
    ASSIGNED: 
    - Powell & Powell Attorneys: Walk / Run Sat. morning
    - : Paddle Sun. morning
    - Wilson Auto Sales: Bike & Hike Sun. afternoon

    This will be great fun, as you will be the person people see after completing their Personal Endurance Challenges, and you'll give them water, snacks and a big smile! 

    This is both a volunteer and a sponsorship opportunity, as we need businesses or organizations who will "take over" this important part of Take the Lake for us. We figure you will need to spend about $150 - $200 on drinks, snacks, fruit, etc., and for that you will receive sponsorship status and the media exposure that goes with it. 
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    16. Recycle, so our children's children can Take the Lake!

    Vols. Needed: 3-5 
    When: Late Sunday 
    Where: Public roads around Lake
    Time Commitment: About 2 hours

    ASSIGNED: 
    Boy Scout Troop 500

    We have been struggling to avoid the massive waste of single-use water bottles since we began Take the Lake. We tried offering refilling stations, but we gave in to modern-day practicality (and sanitation.)

    We have at least 100 cases of water ready and we expect more. But the Lake has no recycling program, so how to recycle all those bottles? Easy!

    1. We will place containers of iced water at every mile marker along the route (See #12 above). Beside those, we'll place containers for empty bottles.

    2. Participants Saturday and Sunday will drop their empty plastic bottles in these containers. (under threat of ARREST!)

    3. Volunteers will drive a truck around the lake and collect the bottles.

    Doug Sasser, leader of Boy Scout Troop 500 in Hallsboro has offered to help organize the pick-up part of this effort. Thanks Judge!
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    Now, for the important information...

    Welcome to the TEAM! Thanks for showing your support as we support fitness for Columbus County! We know you've probably already given us all this information (below) if you you signed up to participate, but we'll need it over here, OK? And we really do need it, because we'll have to get a hold of you to discuss your (very fun!) volunteer opportunities.

    Thank you!
    The Take the Lake Committee

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