The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo would be impossible, organizers say, if not for the 525 volunteers who come each year.
Volunteers range in age from 14 to 91 and do everything — man information booths, guide tours, assist competitors in the barns and yards, and entertain children.
Glenn Sanger, a rancher and 4-H leader in Jefferson County, volunteers to coordinate school field trips for thousands of youngsters each year.
“One of the things I believe in is our need to educate children about the farm and ranch,” he said. “I think there tends to be a lot of distance between kids and where their food comes from these days.”
While it’s too late to help out this year, the volunteer office is taking names for 2009. Stock Show visitors can pick up an application in the volunteer center above the southeast ticket office in the National Western Complex’s Hall of Education.
People can send a name, address and telephone number to National Western Stock Show, attention Volunteer Department, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver, CO 80216, or e-mail information to volunteer@nationalwestern.com.
