Bringing People Together To Improve The Place That They Love
On Saturday, July 26 WaterFire Providence, in collaboration with RI Defeats Hepatitis C and Festival Ballet Providence created C is for Cure: a WaterFire Lighting for RI Defeats Hep C. The program for the evening aimed at bringing awareness to the Hepatitis C virus, which affects 1 in 30 baby-boomers, many of whom don’t even know they are infected. This was the first festival in the world of its kind devoted solely to defeating Hepatitis C in Rhode Island. However, in order to pull off such a massive first time event, WaterFire Providence needed the help of its community.
On May 27, Tracy, the Guest Service Team Lead from the Target in Swansea, MA reached out to the WaterFire Providence Volunteer Department looking for different volunteer events in the community to get involved in. What they got in return was more than just a one way street of giving of their time.
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[sc name=photo-caption caption=”Target employees from the Swansea, MA store at the WaterFire Providence volunteer check-in area. Photo by Andrea Ritter.”]
Upon arrival at the WaterFire Volunteer Check-In on Saturday, July 26 , Target Community Volunteers were escorted to Waterplace Park Basin and instructed as Special Operations Volunteers as to what their mission would be for that evening.
[sc name=photo-caption caption=”Torch procession, photo by John Nickerson.”]
At this particular WaterFire; Target Community Volunteers were part of a team responsible for escorting our 79 torchbearers (made up primarily of Doctors and Professionals involved in the Hepatitis C Project) safely into Waterplace Park Basin. From there a massive Ring of Fire encircling the Basin was created for a beautiful opening ceremony at WaterFire. At the same time our volunteers were challenged with corralling the estimated crowd of 75,000 spectators away from the stages and pathways being used for ballet dancers for their performances.
[sc name=photo-caption caption=”The crowd in the Waterplace Park basin, photo by Jennifer Bedford.”]
Target Community Volunteers took on the challenge of corralling the estimated crowd of 75,000 spectators away from the stages and pathways with genuine smiles and commitment. They then chose to stay beyond their assigned time to help strike the Basin and assist Festival Ballet in the dissemination of their stage.
Go Target Community Volunteers! It was a true pleasure having your positive energy and devotion at WaterFire and we greatly look forward to having you back!
If you are interested in learning more about how your group or business can leave its mark on Providence by making a positive contribution to the quality of life in their community, please contact the WaterFire Volunteer Department at 401-273-9727 today!
[sc name=photo-caption caption=”COVER PHOTO: Ring of Fire in the Waterplace Basin, photo by Jennifer Bonin.”]
