Volunteers needed to help Games of Texas go smoothly -- Lake Grapevine Runners And Walkers

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Date Posted: 10:15:38 06/23/03 Mon
Author: Jack
Subject: Volunteers needed to help Games of Texas go smoothly

We talked about this at the last board meeting. We decided against getting the Club officially involved but to encourage members to volunteer. I think some of the venues are in Grapeving too.

Posted on Mon, Jun. 23, 2003

Volunteers needed to help Games of Texas go smoothly

By Ellena F. Morrison
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

About 550 volunteer positions remain unfilled for next month's Texas Amateur Athletic Federation 2003 Games of Texas. But officials are waiting to hear the starting gun before panicking.

"I am trying to keep the faith. It's hard sometimes," said Jerry Poteet, the volunteer and special events coordinator for the city of Euless, who is also coordinating volunteers for the games. "But I feel confident between now and then we will get an inflow of volunteers."

About 700 volunteers are required for the four-day event, scheduled for July 24-27 in venues throughout Northeast Tarrant County. Timers, greeters, hospitality personnel, and judging and parade assistants are still needed. Every sport -- especially swimming, and track and field -- has open volunteer positions.

"We have a whole gamut of volunteer needs," Poteet said, launching into a long list. "High-jump workers, long-jump workers, shot-put workers."

Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Grapevine, Hurst and North Richland Hills are hosting the 23 events at 27 sites. More than 10,000 athletes and 20,000 spectators are expected to descend on the area, which will host the 2004 games next summer, too.

The Texas Amateur Athletic Federation is a nonprofit organization established in 1925 with members, such as parks and recreation departments, that promote amateur athletics.

The Games of Texas, the largest multisport event in the state, serves as the state championship for the officially sanctioned TAAF sports of track and field, boxing, golf, swimming and tennis. Competitors in those events must qualify at one of the regional meets. The remaining events are open to participants of all ages.

Finding helping hands was a chore, said Waco officials, who hosted the games last year. They needed to cover 700 four-hour shifts for 16 events.

At the beginning of the games, about 250 people had volunteered, almost 100 fewer than needed, said Andy Cedillo, Waco recreation superintendent. Volunteers worked multiple shifts.

"We were still getting people the day of," Cedillo said. "You're talking about people tripling or doubling up their shifts. You're talking bodies for three days in a row, 12 hours a day."

Volunteers need to think of the young people they will help by pitching in, said Don Bowles of Bedford, who plans to work the boxing, tennis and track and field events. He said he will consider other sports if the volunteer shortage continues.

"Essentially, I think this is a good chance for the community to put their best foot forward for the kids," he said. "I just think this is a really good time to sort of bond the communities."

How to volunteer

Call Jerry Poteet weekdays at (817) 685-1449.

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Ellena F. Morrison, (817) 685-3888 emorrison@star-telegram.com

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