Kathy Dillon

Twelve years ago, Willamette High special ed teacher Kathy Dillon served her first shift as a volunteer at the Eugene Celebration. "On my first day on the job at the volunteer booth, the coordinator invited me to be on the organizing team," she recalls. "I've stayed ever since." This year, as head of the volunteer management team (VMT), Dillon began setting up schedules in May. "I start out with a blast from May through mid-June," she notes. "Then, because I'm a teacher, I'll take off for a while." Dillon originated the VMT concept -- "middle management for volunteers." In mid-August, she began to assemble and train a core group of 40 volunteer managers, each of whom will put in at least one four-hour shift supervising volunteers at a celebration site. "We also have 1200 slots for weekend volunteers," she adds. "A lot of them are still open." In return for one shift of three hours or less, weekend volunteers receive a celebration-entry wristband and a T-shirt. Call 691-4108 to sign up. "I love to contribute to the event I've always loved," Dillon enthuses. "I sit in this little booth, watch the world go by, and know I played a key part in making it happen."

happening people photograph and story by Paul Neevel Eugene Weekly / 4 September 2003