Marine Corps Base Quantico -- The 2015 DoD Warrior Games are a major logistical undertaking that has required the assistance of hundreds of volunteers from both the base and off-base communities. According to Gerta Bledsoe, the volunteer coordinator for the Games, as of Tuesday there were more than 900 registered volunteers, and, “people are asking all the time if they can still help out. We’ll probably have over 1,000 by the end.”
In the days leading up to the Games and throughout the competition, volunteers have performed, “a myriad of tasks,” said Bledsoe. They have been assisting with registration, scoring, time keeping, setup/cleanup, escort duty, administrative duties, access/crowd control and more. The only primary requirements for volunteers are that they be at least 16 years of age and in good health and that they not have a criminal background. Certain positions have additional requirements, such as the ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
Ashley McLeod, a program analyst with Behavioral Health Branch aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, volunteered to help during the archery event on Tuesday. “I started off learning how to score archery and the difference between the arrows and scored a match with Brits and Marines,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about archery.”
Approximately 10 staff members from her office are volunteering with the Games, said McLeod, and she and her fellow employees are authorized up to 16 hours of volunteer time at any point during the competition for which they don’t have to take official leave. Joining McLeod at the archery event were coworkers Shelita Winfield, also a BH program analyst, and Valerie Noseck, a curriculum developer.
“I’m just excited to help out,” said Noseck.
Some volunteers traveled a long distance to participate in the Games. Jane Kordish and Blythin Leggett, licensed sports massage therapists from Tampa, Florida, flew up here to provide their services free of charge. Kordish, an Army veteran, said she and Leggett regularly work with the SOCOM team at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and wanted to help them and other athletes during the event. As of Tuesday afternoon, they had worked on more than 80 athletes and family members, said Kordish.
Rather than try to pack up their massage tables and equipment and transport them up here from Tampa, Kordish said they planned to rent or borrow them from a local facility. When Kordish contacted Potomac School of Massage in Silver Spring about their involvement in the Games, Kordish said the school willingly donated tables, covers and other equipment.
In the sweltering heat and humidity that is currently baking the northern Virginia area, the volunteers are working hard to keep the athletes cool and comfortable. Bledsoe said volunteers brought cold water and towels to the wheelchair basketball players during all their breaks on Monday.
— Writer: ebaker@quanticosentryonline.com