Kristin and Bill interview 29-year volunteer and MMA food crew team leader Pam Goldman about how she came to PMC, what it's like to be a volunteer and how integral the volunteers are to the success of the Pan-Mass Challenge.
This episode was recorded via ZOOM ahead of PMC 2022 weekend.
Kristin and Bill interview 29-year volunteer and MMA food crew team leader Pam Goldman about how she came to PMC, what it's like to be a volunteer and how integral the volunteers are to the success of the Pan-Mass Challenge.
This episode was recorded via ZOOM ahead of PMC 2022 weekend.
This is The PMC podcast with Kristin Brandt and Bill Alfano, the Pan-Mass Challenge, raising money for life saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Now here's Kristin Brandt and Bill Alfano.
Kristin Brandt:You're listening to the PMC podcast I'm Kristin Brandt, and I'm here with my co-host and Director of Marketing and Sponsorship at the Pan-Mass Challenge Bill Alfano,
Bill Alfano:Hello. Kristin, how are you? It's good to be back.
Kristin Brandt:long time, No talk,
Bill Alfano:right? It's the 22 edition,
Kristin Brandt:we had a little bit of a break on the last season. And we're getting rolling
Bill Alfano:We're also back in the saddle.
Kristin Brandt:We are back in the saddle. I love it. All right, who are we talking to? Today,
Bill Alfano:we are talking to Pam Goldman. Pam is merely a 29 year volunteer. And she is the Mass Maritime Academy food crew leader. So if you've had anything to do with the PMC, and you've had anything to do with the Mass Maritime Academy, and even if the only thing you did was grab like an 88 Acres bar, you could thank Pam for it, because that's the only way you got it.
Kristin Brandt:And I do I thank Pam every day. All right. Well, let's, let's take a break and we will come back with Pam,
Ropes & Gray:at Ropes and Gray. We have a vision that's guided by our commitment to our clients, and a devotion to supporting our communities and our people. Our mission to practice with purpose drives our actions every day. And our commitment to the Pan-Mass Challenge is a great example of what we mean by purpose. Supporting the Pan-Mass Challenge is one of ropes and Gray's most treasured traditions. We've had a team of cyclists from the firm in the Pan-Mass Challenge every year since 2001. Collectively, Ropes and Gray riders and volunteers have raised more than $2.6 million for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Going the extra mile comes naturally to Ropes & Gray, especially when it comes to participating in the Pan-Mass Challenge. Working and cycling together. We can all play a part in advancing Cancer Treatment and Research.
Kristin Brandt:All right, we're here with Pam Goldman. Hello, Pam. Hey, good morning.
Pam Goldman:Thank you for having me.
Kristin Brandt:So why don't we let you will let you take the reins? Why don't you introduce yourself to the audience? Sure. So
Pam Goldman:I am Pam Goldman. And I am a 29 year volunteer with the Pan-Mass Challenge, which is amazing back in the day, Billy let you start volunteering when you were two and a half or so. I took advantage of that at the time. It's amazing that I was able to do anything in diapers so. So I live in Hopedale, Massachusetts, and I got involved in the Pan-Mass Challenge after my father was diagnosed with metastasized lung cancer, treated at Dana-Farber. And when he went unexpectedly into remission, he decided to ride on the Pan-Mass Challenge in 1993, to celebrate the success of his remission. And so that's really how my family got started.
Kristin Brandt:That's amazing. And what is your involvement with the PMC? What have you been doing for the past 29 years?
Pam Goldman:Yeah so, I started on the pizza team. Actually, back when I started, there was one small tent up, we've always been at Mass Maritime, there was one small tent right up by the cafeteria at Mass Maritime and we served a whole barrage of things from you know ravioli to steak tips to Rice, and over time, you know, where the event would have 500 people at Mass Maritime. Now it feels like you know, there's 10 times are 20 times that number of people. So I migrated over to the pizza team. And when my father passed away in 2003, I assumed the team leadership role of the pizza team. And last year, I was asked to take on the food coordinator position. So I now coordinate all of the food teams at the Mass Maritime site. I know you're giving me that look, I can't believe I said yes eiter,
Kristin Brandt:I as one who is notorious over committer I give you high praise for being right there on team over commit nice job. Bill, just so that we have the facts how many people are at Mass Maritime or we're let's go pre pandemic year was
Bill Alfano:between five and 6000 people on campus at Mass Maritime Academy and Pam is basically now responsible for feeding all of them, which is sure it's a piece of cake. No pun intended,
Pam Goldman:I mean, I feel like I feed that many people during the week but I'm probably exaggerating just a little
Kristin Brandt:many questions because I have I have rolled into my Mass Maritime and I have dined. So how many how many people are you in charge of like how many people are actually feeding us?
Pam Goldman:So it's a couple of 100 volunteers that are staggered across all of the different teams obviously not they're all at one time. Right? From my position. I work with team leaders, so each food station has their own Team of Leaders, so I coordinate through them. But I feel a kinship to all of the volunteers having been in that space for such a long period of time. And I, you know, I'm still very close to the pizza team that I lead for almost 20 years. And I have gotten to know volunteers across the spectrum. So you know, I could fully see myself getting behind the counters and helping out we are needed on the day of as well.
Bill Alfano:So I think when people think of the Pan-Mass Challenge, if you're not in it, if you're not in it, you're thinking about the riders, the 1000s of riders, you're thinking about the millions of dollars, you're thinking about the kids at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, you're thinking about the doctors and researchers at Dana-Farber, if you are in the Pan-Mass Challenge in particular, as a rider, I don't know if you're thinking of during ride weekend, you have your inspiration, you have your reasons for riding, but you are definitely thinking about our volunteers. I mean, it is Kristin as a rider. What is that kinship that bond?
Kristin Brandt:No, no, I mean, I'm nodding my head, because you know, from the people that are feeding us, that people are pointing me in the right direction, so that I find the bathroom like they are I feel like there's a there's a real kinship between the riders and the volunteers, where, you know, we were all in it for the weekend. It is one of the I've said it before it best supported events I've ever been to, and the volunteers are huge piece of that, like, you know,
Bill Alfano:the day we probably have close to 4000 volunteers across when you count everything from loading registration bags to the truck drivers to PMC weekend itself, you know, between three and 4000 volunteers supporting a traveling city of 6000 plus riders. So you know, you just do the math in it is it's very suportted.
Pam Goldman:And what I think is really terrific is that depending upon your age or capability level, your physical limitations, there's a job for you at the Pan-Mass Challenge, you know, there are people doing a scope of different activities. And it really is a family. I mean, I have made so many friends through the PMC riders and volunteers. You get excited when you are starting to talk about and you're sending your emails to see these people again, and they feel like family, you know about babies and you know about weddings. And you know, I think it really there is a strong kinship. When we thank the riders at our table for riding. They say to us, all we had to do was ride a bike if it weren't for you guys, none of this, there'd be no framework there'd be no backbone. So it's a beautiful event. And I can tell you that maybe the riders are thinking about Dana-Farber and Pedal Partners, but as volunteers really are too there's a ton of Living Proof volunteers that are scattered throughout MMA and through the whole event weekend, and we hear their stories, and you can't help but just feel an overwhelming, you know, sense of gratitude, and also, you know, support and love for everybody.
Bill Alfano:that's what I was actually going to ask you when And you when you see on your crew that you have Living Proof volunteers or when you're at the tables, and you see a Living Proof rider come up. What is, you know, 29 years in, Pam, what does that still do for you when you see that that dot that designation of Living Proof?
Pam Goldman:Well, I mean, I can tell you for me, so my father had a terminal diagnosis and no chance. We were planning his funeral. And when I say that I'm not exaggerating. In the least Dr. SIG Tischler, who I'm sure has since retired from Dana-Farber, you know, said, you know, Bob will will put you on this trial with, you know, this immunotherapy drug, but your chances are zero, and that she stuck with him and threw all of this stuff at someone who she felt had no chance. And he pulled through and he got another 13 amazing years. Before, you know, before passing away. I think that I see these people and I think someone at Dana-Farber took a chance. You know, not everybody has a clear cut, disease and diagnosis and treatment path. A lot of people A to B is a long, curvy, treacherous, exhausting, you know, journey where there's many times when they could give up and to see them with that pin on and know that whatever was thrown at them, they fought through it, and that they were supported by this unbelievable, extended family of Pan-Mass Challenge. It's, you know, maybe breathtaking is the wrong word. But it is a really overwhelming feeling that I tell friends and family and co workers, you've never been a part of anything that feels for better or worse. Like what the PMC feels like and all someone has to do is come and be a part of it in some small way once and they always come back.
Kristin Brandt:Well, I was gonna say I you know, I obviously was aware of riders coming back year after year after year, but it wasn't until like my first maybe my second probably my second PMC when I started paying attention to other things and I wasn't so scared of what I had just signed up for, right? Where you're like, Oh, this is their 20th year as a volunteer. This is it, you know. So I think that there's a strong a tradition of volunteers returning time and time again, as there are riders
Pam Goldman:I think our group is, is really family oriented. And as I think about all of the teams, at least on food, I think of barbecue I think of salad I think of chowder and corn. They're all you know, families that have become extended families over the years. And again, it's really it's amazing.
Bill Alfano:Hands down. The baked potato crew is my favorite Stephen and Abby, like that whole group. In 2018. It was a downpour which you probably remember. Me and a couple of my buddies wound up at the at the baked Potato Chili station, they needed a couple of people to help out. And they couldn't first of all, they couldn't have been more welcoming. And they just could not have been a better group of people fun family like they're still maybe my favorite people to see. Every every year during PMC weekend. MMA. And I know you're close
Pam Goldman:So yeah. So Stephen Segal and my father were best with that. Yeah. friends. So Stephen, and his family were one of the you know, we're the family that committed that they were going to keep, you know, Bob's legacy going. And all these years later, you know, we're all still here. And I grew up with them as a child. So it's obviously been a lifetime connection before there was PMC. But you know, now that we've gotten older and, you know, all moved in our own directions, we still have the PMC to unify us every year, which is really nice.
Bill Alfano:So, all right, I got a couple quick questions for you. Pam. You're ready, like first thing? Rapid fire. Let's
Pam Goldman:go. Yeah.
Bill Alfano:What is the most desire food crew job at the Mass Maritime Academy?
Pam Goldman:Well, I would say, in terms of getting dirty, it's probably being on the snack and drink team, because you're not dealing with any live exposed food. But I would say, I don't know. I think the pizza team is pretty fun to be on. I'm not biased at all. Wink wink.
Bill Alfano:For everyone that can't see this, because it's only there she is. Wink. It's Oh, I
Pam Goldman:was yes. That was a that was a virtual wink. But um, you know, I think, again, all of the food crews, fill. I mean, it is a really fun, engaging, interactive experience where you get to really, you know, you get to see Billy Starr and you get to see Dave Hellman. And you get to see all of these people that are in the hierarchy of Pan-Mass. But then you also get to see all the riders on the other volunteers and you get to talk to them, and ask them how the ride was, which, you know, for some of the other crews and MMA, although they're all meaningful, and so important, those food crews, and these riders are hungry as heck. So they're as happy to see you as you are to see those very
Bill Alfano:least desired food crew job. Do we want to talk about that? What's the hardest one to fill?
Pam Goldman:Well, I would say, probably the most challenging, I won't say the least desirable, let's say one of the most challenging has to be working those barbecues, because that smoke, that smoke if that wind hits, and you know, there's no ship this year at MMA, so that wind is going to be coming right at us. So you know, those are that's a smokey, that has a lot of fans, they
Kristin Brandt:don't stop on that that year, you were just talking about where there was like water rivers coming rivers through the tent? Yes, they were still out there. Grilling, like even more really impressive.
Bill Alfano:What time what is the first time report time start time on Saturday of PMC weekend for the food crew.
Pam Goldman:So the so the designated first start time is 9am. But I can tell you that my volunteers are there by seven, and most of the morning volunteers are, it's sort of a funny thing, actually. So I gotta give a shout out to Bob Cobb. And the folks from the MMA kitchen that are hugely integral partners of the PMC. They open up their kitchen to us for the whole weekend. Bob is an unbelievable resource and his team. And in addition to letting us use the kitchen and ordering a ton of the food for us, they also let us use spatula and tongs and other items from their kitchen. And so it's you know, it's sort of become you ever seen, like the Amazing Race, people are rushing into that kitchen to try to get the supplies that they need for their table. And you know, the early bird gets the worm. So if you want the spatula is in the pizza cutters, and then you need to get there early. So it's like early, I mean, it's like earlier and earlier every year, it's not even light out and you're like oh my god, people are waiting to get in. So but again, it's it's huge commitment. And we get a lot of people first thing in the morning, I don't know if you know how much of that is people trying to avoid the traffic, the Cape traffic on a Saturday morning, but the Dunkin Donuts is out and ready. And so in the morning, there's the
Kristin Brandt:volunteer of the week, but guys are already talking about your planning now.
Pam Goldman:Yeah, so we started planning. Last August. We started you know, emailing team leads, at least in my, you know, the food area, just to make sure everybody was comfortable coming back. You know, this is I mean, even though we're We're through COVID And you know, last year was obviously a very reimagined much smaller scale event, you know, there's still considerations and you want to make sure people feel comfortable being a part of it and being around folks. So just making sure we had a solid team to support, you know, food as we came into the 2022 event, staying in contact with folks, you know, we're trying to streamline and create new processes, which are going to make managing the event for our team leaders even easier and, you know, ultimately create a better experience for all of the riders and other volunteers that come through our stations. So we've been meeting with our teams, both virtually and in person, pretty regularly and will continue to do that between now. And the event. You know, and I think, you know, just as like, like anything else, right, strong solid communication, limits, the amount of mistakes and oversights that you're going to have the weekend of and this is the first full event since 2019. And you know, the people that are listening can believe it. It's hard for me to believe and so we want to make sure that people's first experience back is for lack of a better term, just a magical experience.
Bill Alfano:Delicious. What is the favorite food item? What is the food item that if you had 30 tractor trailers of it still wouldn't be enough. Is there such an item?
Pam Goldman:Well, I can tell you that the most requested items are the chowder. People love the chowder, I think burgers, grilled burgers and chicken. I think the pizzas pretty important to people. And honestly, I think there's a lot of vegans and vegetarians that really, those baked potatoes and chili are really important. And you know, it's interesting, because way back in the day, the event was a little bit slower, right, you know, it didn't all sort of come to a head at the same time, we get this huge rush now the majority of people coming in on time, and so we didn't really use to ever run out of food. Now we do we cook until we run out of food. And then you know, unfortunately, you've got a lot of folks that are coming in later and you want to make sure you have stuff from that for them. So you know I think at the end of the day a peanut butter or tuna fish sandwich to somebody that's been riding all day is the best thing they've ever eaten in their entire life
Kristin Brandt:like a pack of locust we just come up just
Pam Goldman:right. Yeah, yeah, but I think you know, you've got your carnivores and you've got your vegetarians and you know that salad bar is great people get really creative I give them credit, you know, you see you see concoctions with the food and you're just like wow, people are motivated so
Bill Alfano:I heard that if I brought up sweet potatoes in the wrong oh it could be a big fight would break out
Pam Goldman:well I'm on Team sweet potato and I'd be curious for the Pan-Massers that are listening to this podcast to let us know because you know I'm Team sweet potato Yeah, but but you know how much decorating do you need to do on a sweet potato
Kristin Brandt:board?
Bill Alfano:It's very controversial I've heard Yeah,
Pam Goldman:But it is controversial people like their it was born brilliant. white potatoes and I'm not you know I'm not picking us I'm not team Brad or Angelina on this
Kristin Brandt:team white potato. I like a plain potato that's my favorite stop is the potato bar. That's my favorite one when I get there but I certainly wouldn't fault anyone for wanting a sweet potato right?
Bill Alfano:Oh, it's very controversial Kristin it is
Pam Goldman:it's a hot. It was a hot button topic and our team leader leading yes a hot potato topic last week in our team lead meaning and I think Glynn got the message. I think we're gonna stick with white potatoes for 22. But the verdicts out for 23
Bill Alfano:this is my only have to two more for you. So again, Speaking of Glynn, okay. He does a pretty good job, right? He gets us a lot of stuff, a lot of supplies. But is there like an item that the food crew you, Pam, that you would be the hero of all the PMC realistic? We can't give everybody a four pound lobster obviously even though That'd be nice. But is it what are we missing? Is there one item that we will go to Kristin next her hand is up? Are we missing anything?
Pam Goldman:You know? I don't think so. I mean, I would say where we had some holes was what we were providing to our volunteers to support their teams. So this year, what we did is we did put team kits together to help support our volunteer crews, the stuff that they had a hard time getting a hold of potholders, you know, simple first aid items, pocket knives, Sharpies, you know, what you don't think about maybe as a rider is just a common person is that there's a lot of food allergies out there. So making sure that we have ways to advertise what's in food so that we don't have medical emergencies. One year, we had pizzas that had pesto, and people weren't connecting that there was a nut in there. So
Kristin Brandt:I was gonna ask how much some of this has changed both between dietary just preferences and then actual, like allergies. Yeah, well, you
Pam Goldman:know, I would say not that much, because you know, we are a volunteer. We are a an A not for profit organization. And so while we certainly buy food as needed, we rely a lot on donations in order to support the event. As of course, 100% of all the Rider raise money is going to the PMC. But there are administrative costs to running this enormous event. And so we do try to limit that spending where we can. And we are, you know, so grateful for what we receive from our sponsors. And so a lot of those items or staple items that we get every year, I think we're more conscientious about letting folks know and we get asked more what's in the veggie burgers, what's in the chili? Can you tell me what's in the chowder? So we're more conscientious about ingredients, and we make sure that our volunteers are aware, you know, if you have a nut allergy, you shouldn't have this, we just tried to make sure that we are being good communicators, so that we can try and avoid any, you know, incidents, somebody's having an allergic reaction to food, but there's a great medical team that's on site if that happens, but you know, we would like there to be no medical incidents at any PMC. Be them so they from food or anything else
Bill Alfano:as a 10 year PMC employee, this will be my 11th PMC on staff and I get reminded almost daily that it still makes me a newbie, basically. Right, a rookie. So I believe that there are some off menu items that if I just knew how to order the right way at the right place that like the date you like this, this speakeasy room that has the surf and turf? Yes. mentioned, the Dave Hellman or a Billy or Michele Sommer that they have access to these items is, you know, is there something like that, There are my am I and my and all this other 10 year or less people? Do we have access to everything? You know, I just need to know this.
Pam Goldman:Yeah. So So I would say yes, I mean, I can tell you that volunteers try to get creative in their offerings. Like I know, the pizza team will try and smuggle some vegetables from the salad team to try it and spice up some of the pizzas and make them make them you know, add some vegetables into the pizzas. And I know that the sweet potato, this sweet potato, oh my goodness, oh, Stephens coming for baked potato team, they'll they will mash your potatoes upon request. So if you want to do a mashed potato, they've got the gloves, they'll mash it up, and you put the butter and sour cream and bacon bits in there. And it's like a little plate of heaven. But no, there's no secret ingredients, you know, unless you want to order them in. And then Bill, you let me know where you're gonna be sitting and I will come join you.
Bill Alfano:Yeah, no, I'm good with that. Yeah, those gloves are incredible. The hot gloves are incredible. You can reach your hand into anything, and then you're fine with them. Yeah, I
Kristin Brandt:know. You know, I know, as a rider. It's the mornings I struggle with. And there's probably nothing that can be done about the fact that it takes me about an hour before I want to eat and we've already left.
Pam Goldman:Oh, you mean on Sunday morning? Or yeah,
Kristin Brandt:you know, because like, I will know, I like sleep. You know, you wake up at Mass Maritime time you walk around, you're like, grrrrrrr , I'm not ready. Like I almost need one of those bags. What was cool about the last two years or last year, right? We got a bag we were done. And they handed us a bag with some snacks. I kind of need that bag this year. And I can that way I start eating like an you know, after I get over the bridge and my stomach's like, what are we doing?
Pam Goldman:Yep, certainly, I can take that back, Kristen. I mean, I can tell you the breakfast crew arrives in MMA at
11:45pm. If you can believe it so I
Kristin Brandt:was about to ask when
Bill Alfano:they get there. They have a great story themselves. Correct? Yeah. Yeah. So what's their name? Don't they have a special name?
Pam Goldman:Oh, you know, well, you know what, Bill, so this is my first year at a full event as the crew leader. So I actually I don't know what their name is. But I'll tell you what, they're hella committed. If they're getting there at 1145. And working through the night, we finished breaking down the dinner meal service by about 8pm Have dinner ourselves and we get, you know, an hour and 30 minutes to close our eyes before we're you know, getting back and helping the breakfast crew. So, you know, I have to give them a lot of credit. That is a largely, you know, I'm so grateful. Of course, the riders are grateful. But there's no fanfare, there's no band playing.
Kristin Brandt:It's definitely a different and I feel now that you as we're talking about it, I'm reflecting on like, there's no like, thank you. It's more like
Pam Goldman:bread or coffee, coffee, coffee, right? So, yes, ride my bike now. Well, I was just gonna say, you know, not that we're at the end. But if there's one thing that people could take away, I would say, you know, gosh, these volunteers really care so much and work so hard. And so, you know, I know everyone appreciates the volunteers. Sometimes. The volunteers maybe come off a little bit like unsung heroes, because again, the fanfare was surrounding the money raised and the donation made to the you know, to Dana-Farber and the support for the Jimmy Fund. And the and the volunteers aren't always raising money, but man, they're raising spirits. They're raising morale, you know, they're keeping things going and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of, you know, I'm lucky if I want to get my car and ride 92 miles. Get on a bike so I could never do the rider piece but I'm, you know, I am so proud of all of the volunteers that
Bill Alfano:I think we'd let you at this point, right? I don't
Kristin Brandt:work out well for you guys. You need your own finish line, do you finish your your shift and you cross through we have a photographer we have the whole nine. Yeah.
Pam Goldman:I proposed this year that we're going to hopefully start up a Why I volunteer hashtag, PMC 22. Because, again, the stories are similar. You know, I had a father who ultimately lost his battle to cancer, and I've, you know, lost my brother in law recently to cancer. And, you know, so everyone's got a story, whether you're able to ride a bike and raise money, or whether you're able to hand out T shirts, or whether you fix bikes, or whether you treat people for serious injuries or give massages, or serve food or anything in between. We all have really important stories. And if we didn't have that, to bring us all together, there'd be no event so and
Bill Alfano:Why I PMC. That's why it's called Why I PMC not why I ride. Yeah, no, you know, the work of the volunteers is critical. And you're right there, it's the motivating factors, the inspirational factors are, are all the same.
Pam Goldman:If someone's listening, that isn't a part of the PMC. There are still spots open for volunteering, or PMC weekend. And so I would say, you know, it may sound intimidating, right? Oh, you're working with ovens, you're working with knives, there's flames, there's smoke, Child's Play, I mean, we can find a job or we can find a job for anyone we've got, I've got folks on my pizza team that are in their 90s that sit in a chair and open pizza boxes, and really feel like they're a part of things. It doesn't have to be the same. Yeah, absolutely. Because they are a very important, you know, piece of the of the event. And so you shouldn't be intimidated by the length of the day or the physical aspect of the day, we can find a position for anybody that wants to put in an honest, hard day's work in support of an unbelievable cause. That, you know, as we've always say, cancer doesn't discriminate. And if you're not out there to support for it today, it could be you or a family member tomorrow, we all need to be a part of the solution.
Bill Alfano:Pam, one moment one, do you have anything one from 20? Over 29 years? That still stands out to you for some reason?
Pam Goldman:You mean from the event? Yeah. Um, you know, I guess I would say the most, you know, I know you've only been here a measly 10 years. But I've only been
Kristin Brandt:here seven. I don't know. I'm gonna go. I'm just gonna sit over here. Yes,
Pam Goldman:newborns. But what we've been saying since I started was that it never rains on the PMC. So everybody knows it never rains on the PMC. If you're going to plan your wedding, you should plan on on PMC Saturday, because it never rains on the PMC. Except when it does. So I remember being in the tent. When a massive deluge came through, we actually lost the tent in the middle of the event, it collapsed on us. And you're thinking to yourself, it was like a titanic Moment Like This isn't really going to happen is it? It did. And luckily, although we've had rain since then, we haven't had rain like that again, and I'm grateful but every time I check the forecast, I think to myself, God, I hope those poles are in there. Nice and tight. And you know, it's hard because when it rains, you got to keep grills going. And you've got to keep ovens lit. And that is easier said than done when you're working on propane and generators. And you know, I give you probably don't know Scott axle, he is my right hand, he is such a huge part of our, our crew at MMA, making sure that everything stays lit and functioning, that everyone has the supplies that their team stations that they need. Without him, we would literally be lost. I know that people say that about everyone. But Scott, if you're listening, you are literally the man. And you know, thank God for him that day going around, you know, putting his arms over things to just to get a spark so we could keep ovens going and food coming out. It was really a heroic it was a heroic effort. So I would say that stuck out all the rest of them have been beautiful and perfect. So I mean, there's been moments that have been challenging, you know, I was sad to be a part of, you know, you know, some serious accidents at PMC that stick out in my mind, but for the most part, it's been just a blur of just fabulous, you know, almost 30 years of memories,
Bill Alfano:Thank you for what you do. And I don't think I've ever said this today before I hope you never ride. I don't think I've ever said that to anyone and we will be putting out Pam's phone number if everyone wants to text their order ahead of time coming in to MMA, it should be no problem. She'll be like
Pam Goldman:I was also I'm gonna give you my credit. Credit card number. Yeah. And social security number will be coming with and if you see me walking around, you know, the campus. You know, I'll be there Thursday to Sunday. You know, again, my name is Pam Goldman. I invite you to come up and introduce yourself. I'd love to hear your stories. And, you know, I'm happy to share mine and I think that you know, it should feel like family to everyone that participates and if it doesn't then sort of as these head volunteers, we're not doing our job. So I personally want to make you feel welcome and I hope you'll come find me and and say hello.
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Kristin Brandt:All right, we're back. And that was so nice to meet Pam. I'm so excited to I love the great potato debate. If someone is interested in volunteering, what should they do?
Bill Alfano:So it's simple just go to PMC dot oRG pmc.org. volunteer positions are available, you can click right on volunteer, show you what's available. There's things leading into PMC weekend. There's obviously a bunch of positions during PMC weekend, different times different locations, different days. Find one that works for you. We would love to have you as part of the PMC volunteer family. Teenagers welcome, I believe so I think different positions have different age restrictions. But I think the quick answer to that is yes.
Kristin Brandt:Right. So if your National Honor Society, Boy Scout, Girl Scout, your high school is looking for volunteer time. Yeah, CMC could be a really good option for you
Bill Alfano:you have any questions that you can't find on totally. If the website. Honestly, you can email Justine Justine at PMC dot org. She heads up all of our volunteer efforts, and she's amazing. She'll get right back to you and let you know what's going on and what you can do. All right,
Kristin Brandt:well, then we're gonna wrap this up for show notes and links people can
Bill Alfano:go where pmc.org Find everything there.
Kristin Brandt:If you liked the show, leave a review, tell three friends, tell some riders tell some volunteers or you can leave a review on iTunes or your favorite podcasting service.
Bill Alfano:That's it and thank you to all of our volunteers. We appreciate everything you do. You are so necessary for making this weekend happen. Thank you.
Kristin Brandt:With your help, we're getting closer by the mile.