There is only 1 possible thing that “V” can stand for with the Iditarod and it’s VOLUNTEERS! There is virtually no way this race could come to fruition without the vision and valuable assistance of the volunteers. They are numerous… approximately 1,500 per year to be exact. They venture to the Alaskan tundra for only one reason, their love of this race and all it entails. They visit on their own dime, leaving families, work responsibilities, and put their lives on hold to be a part of this very special event. Their skills are not only vital but varied in so many ways. COMMS keeps the race running as a well-oiled machine. Media personnel photograph, video, interview, and publicize so people around the world can bear witness to greatness. Tech has a knack for making sure all computer systems are running perfectly, no matter how insignificant a piece of technology may seem. Cooks spend hours upon hours preparing a variety of incredible meals so that not one person goes hungry on any given day. Trail Crew and Trail Sweeps not only mark and put in trail for 1,000 miles, but they follow all mushers to make sure everyone, 2 legs or 4, is safe and accounted for. The Education Department works tirelessly to create and share standards-based lessons using the Iditarod for tens of thousands of students, teachers, and classrooms across the country. Checkpoint crew members ensure that each and every checkpoint across the trail is in perfect working order so mushers can be everything they want to be for themselves and their team. The Iditarod Air Force, better known as IAF, are true heroes of this race. Without them, there would be no Iditarod. They are verified pilots having flown for decades, each with an incredibly vast array of aviation skills. They donate their own time and their own airplanes to ensure that every person, every piece of gear, every drop bag, every dog, every volunteer, every single item necessary for this race to occur is transported to the exact location needed. The “behind-the-scenes” IAF volunteers are in charge of scheduling and planning each of those take-offs and landings, a task that is impossible to imagine. The vets and vet techs take care of every single one of the hundreds of dogs as they would any human patient. Thousands of vet checks take place during the race with every dog treated as if it was there own pet. I am certain there are so many, many more without that “official” title that just put their head down and do what is asked without complaint. Volunteers are truly the lead dogs, the icons, the victors and champions of this event.
The phrase, “It takes a village”, is never more true than during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. They visualize greatness and their valued effort makes it happen year after year. All so that mushers may complete this race, cross under the burled arch… victorious!
Volunteering Ideas for Kids!
- Making cards for seniors in assisted living or nursing homes.
- Bake sale and donating earning to a worthy cause.
- Walk dogs or donate towels, used toys, etc. at a local animal shelter.
- Organize a day to clean up litter or trash at a park.
- Have a canned food drive for a local food bank.
- Donate unwanted clothes or toys.
- Offer to read with younger classrooms of students.
- Ask to assist with community events.
- Pull weeds, mow lawn, shovel snow, etc. for an older neighbor who can’t do it themselves.
- Brainstorm with your students! It’s amazing what kids can think of!
