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The Unlikely Volunteer

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Contributed by: Sami Griffin on 8/8/2008

Contributed by: Sami Griffin on 8/4/2008

I have lived in the Colorado Springs area for over 19 years. I have spent the majority of that time working and raising my kids. My life consisted of going to work, stopping by the grocery store and going home. I have no idea where the nightclub hot spots are. I am in short a home body.

I have always had a love of history and of learning. One of my interests has been cemeteries. As long as I can remember I have loved to walk through cemeteries and read the old headstones. I always wondered what these peoples life had been like. Here in Colorado Springs, I would pass by Evergreen Cemetery, which is located at the corner of Fountain and Hancock and want to go in and explore. Of course, I didn't because first of all I really didn't know anyone there and I was always trying to get home. No matter , whenever I passed by I would turn and look and wonder.

A few years ago things changed for me. I was reading the paper and saw that there was a historical walking tour at Evergreen Cemetery. My husband was away fishing and I decided that I really wanted to go. I called my sister and off we went. I had an absolutely wonderful time. I learned so much about General Palmer, Helen Hunt Jackson, Mary Bacon and many others. Afterwards I thought that was great, but I didn't know that in just a short time I would find myself the most unlikely volunteer.

A few months after I had went on the tour, there was some devestating news. The cemetery had been the victim of random vandalism. One of my favorite angels had been knocked over and broken and headstones had been damaged. I was very upset and although my husband did not go on the tour nor did he have a particular interest in cemeteries, he also was very upset.

Not long after the vandalism incident, there was a story on the news talking about the vandalism and offering a class that would repair the damage. My husband and I decided that we would attend the class. Our plan was to take the class and repair the damage in this one afternoon. Well, we found out rather quickly that this was not to be. What we did learn that long ago Saturday was that there is no quick fixes in a cemetery. That day we re-set a small childs headstone that was leaning over and needed straightening up. It was a very moving experience and to this day I cannot think about that without smiling.

Fast forward to the present. My husband and I are now a board members of the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society. For the last few years we have been a part of many projects and fund raising events. The money raised at these events are used for various restoration projects. It is our goal to insure the historical integrity of Evergreen Cemetery, The Walking Tour, which was what started it for me is our biggest and well attended fund raiser. I now find myself in the position of needing volunteers to help with this event. We are in need of volunteer guides.

The Walking Tour will be held on Saturday September 13, 2008. The society will have the route planned and clearly marked. We will have a meeting for volunteers prior to the walking tour and will take practice runs. The volunteer guides are the key to the success of the tour. We encourage guides to dress in period costumes. This is done to set them aside as to be easily recognized. This is not difficult. Ladies need only a nice blouse and perhaps a long skirt and hat. Gentleman a nice shirt and hat is perfectly fine. Costuming assistance will be provided. I can tell you that the public loves to see us dressed up.

Whats in it for the volunteer? Well first of all you get to go on the tour for free, which is an $8.00 value. After the tour we will provide a free lunch as well as some other tokens of appreciation. September is a beautiful time in Colorado and you will be amazed at the sheer beauty of this unique place. You will meet people eager to learn and experience history.

If you would like to volunteer please contact Dianne Hartshorn at 630-7328 or Sami Griffin at 391-2144. You can also contact us at evergreencemetery society@yahoo.com

Lastly, I encourage everyone to find a cause important to you and volunteer. It will enrich your life as it has mine. I am no longer The Unlikely Volunteer.

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Submitted By: jane rodgers

posted on 8/16/2008 @ 10:20:50 PM

Rated Story

Great story Sami!I also read the story in the paper for volunteers,and said to my husband,Lets give it a try!We did and worked our butts off.That evidently wasn't enough so we left.We love volunteering and will always volunteer where we are needed.I want you to know that you and Clint were just great to volunteer with and a joy to be around Happy volunteering friend!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFO

Sami Griffin

Colorado Springs , CO

Sami Griffin has posted 30 stories and 8 comments since joining on 8/14/2007. Sami Griffin 's average story rating is 4.75.

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