Why I Like to Volunteer

I really do like volunteering around Columbus. I get a kick out of volunteering at festivals around town and helping out.

This weekend, I’m volunteering with the Libations committee of ComFest.  I volunteered Friday night and Saturday night, checking IDs and pouring beer.  This is my second time volunteering at ComFest. I like the laid back atmosphere, the people watching, helping out such a historic and grassroots festival, and feeling like I’m needed. Some shifts they don’t have a ton of volunteers so I stay busy serving customers my whole shift.

Over the years, I’ve also volunteered at the Columbus Arts Festival, BeerFest, Dublin Irish Festival, Highball, Ohio Wine Festival, North Market Festival for Good, and the Food Truck Festival.

Why I like to volunteer:

• Meeting new people. After studying abroad and having several jobs where I had to interact with the public,  I kind of became an extrovert. I like striking up a conversation and getting to know new people. I mean this not in a sense of “what do they have that I can gain?” or trying to network with them. I mean this in a “talking to strangers can be fun” sense. I just find volunteering is a great way to make new friends and new connections. At Highball, I volunteered with a girl that was really down to earth and we hung out after our shift and have been friends ever since.
• Helping out.  Festivals, especially ones like ComFest, can’t happen without volunteers. They need the help and hey, I have the time. They give us this amazing festival with lots of neat stuff to do, the least I can do is donate a few hours of my time. I may not have a lot of money to give, but I can give you my time.
• T-shirt and swag.  I can’t lie that one of the reasons I volunteer is for that sweet exclusive volunteer T-shirt. These have become some of my favorite t-shirts because they bring back good memories and are so unique. I also volunteer for the free beer tokens or North Market Fiver. No shame.

If you’re interested in volunteering, hit up Experience Columbus.
That’s where I find most of my volunteers shifts and they have a time-tested organized volunteer system.