This past weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer at Calgary Expo! It was an amazing experience.
(This is a selfie of me the very last shift I had on the Sunday it ended
and the puppy I gave a treat to because there was a rescue animal booth
and they brought in this puppy named Evelyn!)
This was my first year attending the Expo. I was questioning me working all 4 days at first, I worked all 4 days but I am glad I was able to push through and go for it! I met so many amazing people and I made so many friends, without them, I don’t know how I would have managed to work all 4 days!
On the first day, I was assigned to the Customer Service crew – it was a lot of work! As to be expected it was crazy busy, and there was a lot of standing during my shifts. By the end of Day 1 I was so sore. Day 2 was more relaxed and I was sitting more. Saturday was an 11 and a half hour shift. At first, I kept doubting myself and having negative thoughts that I wouldn’t make it, but honestly, my team lead had faith in me. I worked the 11 and a half hours and by Sunday after it was over, I didn’t want it to be the end! I think the only challenging part was Day 3, I was by admissions for the morning and it was flooded with people coming in. Around 2 PM I was moved to the BMO centre, I had some friends working there so it wasn’t that bad, yes it was busy but I was happy!
All volunteers got a gift card to get food for the weekend as well for Coco Brooks. The food was delicious, they looked after us for food and when we were stressing we were able to talk to someone in charge there. There wasn’t a time anyone didn’t have a smile on their face when we helped people! Of course, there was some conflict, but being in a public place, there normally is! We all helped each other out when we didn’t know where things were quite yet, we had our amazing sub leads to help guide us and help us out! I can for sure say I will be doing this again next year!
I am so happy and thrilled this happened and that I decided to join! Everyone else volunteering did an amazing job as well.