Volunteering

Part of the reason I did not go to the Bans Off Our Bodies Rally last Saturday was that I had volunteered to do Voter Registration for the Davidson County Democratic Party that morning. This time the weather was beautiful and the venue was a street festival celebrating the centennial of Hillsboro Village. I decided to take Carli with me and see how she did. It was a bit like packing a baby – water bowl, blanket, treats, harness, leash. I parked nearly a half mile from the venue -unclear if I would need to end up carrying Carli part or all of the way – given her lack of interest in walking. Much to my surprise and delight, she had not hesitancy walking along neighborhood sidewalk.

The head of the DCDP volunteer’s daughter was with her and she was delighted to play with Carli.

Carli attracted a young woman into the tent for a pet and it turned out she had recently relocated to Nashville and was not yet registered so Carli got credit for the first person registered on Saturday. I will have to get Carli a blue harness for our next event. A bit later we put some buttons her her harness so had some bling.

Last month I joined an the Walk Bike Nashville organization – promoting walking and cycling in Nashville – in particular the need for safer routes for biking and walking. Last week a call for volunteers came through email to support the Walk to School Day, which was yesterday. I signed up to be a volunteer and had a virtual training on Tuesday evening for the early morning event at a elementary school 5 miles SE of where I live. I was a part of the volunteers that supported the parents that were driving to drop off the students at a church about a half a mile from the elementary school. We are in another rainy week so it was not clear until the very last minute whether the walk was ON or not which limited the participation. I was up at 515 AM and on sight at 615 AM to help get set up. Student drop off was from 700-725 with walk to begin at 730 AM.

It stopped raining at about 610 AM but started again about 645. It was only a short shower but I think many parents made decision at that point to not walk which was unfortunate – this beautiful rainbow came out just before the walk started.

I was still on other side of church watching for late drop offs when the walk began but just watched the live event including comments for the school principle and Nashville mayor on Facebook. It was very sweet and it looked like more participants than was apparent by the slow drop-offs. It was fun to see whole families get out to walk. I hope to do more with this organization.

I have signed up to begin my Habitat for Humanity “Supervisor or Site” apprenticeship starting Sunday. I am very much looking forward to more building experiences.