Volunteer!
The Wildflower Run is organized and executed by the Morgan Hill branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). We have no paid staff, which keeps our expenses down and maximizes funds raised for scholarships. While the bulk of our volunteers are our members with their friends and family, we have many other volunteer opportunities. Click below for some of our favorite volunteer photos. How would you like to participate?
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AAUW Morgan Hill Volunteers
Click here for a committee list and contact the individual in charge of the committee on which you would like to participate. If you are not sure where you would like to work, contact our AAUW Wildflower Run volunteer coordinator, Pat Toombs, at volunteer@WildflowerRun.org. We rely on all branch members to assist in some capacity, either in advance or on race day. (For example, we need 40 course marshals!)
Other Adult Volunteers
If you are not a member of AAUW and would like to volunteer, we have many community members help, and we would love to have your participation! In particular, let us know if you are interested in being a course marshal, volunteering at a water stop, helping with the parking lot traffic, or being part of the “roadshow” (entertaining along the routes). Please email Pat Toombs and Sherrie Wren at Volunteer to find a match for your interests. Thank you for your support!
Students: Muscle In the Morning (MIM)
We welcome high school club members, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts (with their leaders). Live Oak High School FBLA (with leader Kiki Nakauchi) and Boy Scout Troop 730 (with leaders Lynn Liebschutz and Scott Jensen) have been mainstays of MIM for many years and we value their participation immensely. Thank you to Sobrato’s CSF and Key Clubs for their record 2018 participation (over 30 students with volunteer coordinator Austin Hoang), Other schools and clubs that have participated include GECA (Gilroy Early College Academy), SJSU (a shout out to former LOHS FBLA student Naromy Ramirez), Westmont High School CSF, and Pacific Point Christian students. To volunteer your club’s participation or if you are a high school student wanting to do community service, please email Vicky Reader and Katie Sengaglia at mim@WildflowerRun.org.
MIM volunteers are given clear direction: Tasks include early set up with vehicle unloading for hospitality, t-shirts and registration. MIM volunteers also set up tables and chairs, place stanchions and the podium, and hang banners, both in the registration area and at the Finish Fest. They move supplies (t-shirts, water, and snacks) from the registration area to the Finish Fest after the events have started. Volunteers may also be asked to help give out goodie bags, snacks, and t-shirts at the Finish Fest and check off receipt of Jamba Juice by runners. If time permits, they cheer runners in. Finally, they tear down the registration and Finish Fest areas, remove signs, fold tables and chairs, bring supplies to designated areas, and help return the school campus to pre-run state by cleaning up.
Parking Lot Posse
We are fortunate each year in having Morgan Hill community leaders help manage parking lot traffic. Volunteers have included Chamber of Commerce members, School Board members, City Council members, the MHUSD Superintendent, and more. Responsibilities include setting out (and collecting) parking lot directional A-frames, roping off various areas for the 5K and 10K starts, and directing traffic. Volunteers are provided with safety vests and walkie talkies. NOTE: This is an early morning activity–you can work in the parking lot and finish in time to run the 5K or 10k. To volunteer, please contact Heather Poore at parkinglot@WildflowerRun.org.
Roadshow – Entertainment!
African Drummer Mike Fair
If you aren’t a runner, you can still join the fun! We are looking for volunteer musicians (individuals or combos), singers, dancers, drummers, or other acts to liven up the route. The runners love the entertainment! You will need to be set up by 9:00 am or so (at the start of the 10K and will wrap up before 11:00. Contact Liz Panetta Melone at roadshow@WildflowerRun.org to learn more and/or offer entertainment to our runners and spectators along our scenic route.
Sandoshin Taiko performing for the 5K and 10K runners. They keep the 5K runners energized as they enter their home stretch!