walk and roll chicago

volunteers come in different shapes, sizes and species!

this photo was taken last May, at the hutchinson field here in downtown chicago, near the lake shore. my friends (shellane and christine) and i volunteered for the walk and roll chicago event sponsored by the American Cancer Society as individuals and as part of the Accenture group -- this way, dalawa ang lunch namin :) the event started at around 10am, a little late than scheduled because there's another walk and roll event sponsored by a different organization naman. we were just supposed to be marshals that day, cheering the crowd in a designated station and making sure they are going the right way. we were stationed at the starting point so we can cheer the participants as they start off on their 5 mile walk, 10 mile skate, or 15 mile bike journey. while waiting for the actual walk & roll to begin, i was going around and taking pictures of the participants and found many toddlers, children, senior citizens, families eagerly awaiting their turn in the start line. ang saya, they really go out of their way to not just walk or bike and skate -- they bring tents, food, tables and chairs to sit on, their entire families and many friends (and pets!) to become part of it. i can not estimate how many people volunteered, pero ang dami and it was a good feeling to be one of them. i guess most people do it in memory of their departed loved ones who did not survive the cancer disease, some would do it in support for their loved ones who are still battling against it. to me, its because somehow i want to do something worthwhile during the weekend, be able to see how these things happen here in the US so I can compare it to how we do it back home and I guess I just want to make my stay here in the US more meaningful. syempre, to be able to take photos na rin :)

so as ive said we were just supposed to cheer the crowd, pero what shellane and i actually did was to go with them. to be marshals as we walk with them. it was not very hot that day, but there were few clouds and the sun managed to burn our faces after a while. we started walking at around 1030am and finished at about lunchtime i think. inabot na ng 1030am yung simula dahil nauna kasi yung mga bikers and skaters, 15 minutes ang interval per batch.

as we walked with the crowd, i saw pictures of people printed or pinned on the shirts and captioned with "in loving memory of" then followed with the names of their aunt, dad, son or daughter... i guess to these volunteers, though you see them cheer and smile most of the time, the event could not be entirely fun. its not easy remembering a departed loved one no matter how far back in the past losing them has been. but im sure they found it worthwhile, as I did, and will hope to be part of it again next year.