Volunteers vital link to event success

by Cindy A. Abole, MUSC Public Relations

It wouldn’t be difficult to spot Martie Smith, Rick Welch, Al Hawkins and other volunteers scurrying around downtown Charleston or Mt. Pleasant.

They’re the ones hauling medical supplies, cups and bananas on an early Saturday morning in April. They’re also part of a team of dedicated men and women who have become involved in one of the South’s most popular running events, the Cooper River Bridge Run.

Each year, Cooper River Bridge Run volunteer coordinators Mary Ellen Lenhardt and Al Hawkins work with more than 1,500 individuals who contribute their time and efforts towards the bridge run. However, the roles of these race volunteers are not limited to just ordinary duties.

For some volunteers, their focus is on the health and wellness of all participants. “It’s not an easy task,” said Hawkins, the bridge run’s medical services coordinator, who works as an athletic trainer at the MUSC Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic. “We’re considered the last line of defense when it comes to providing medical care to 30-35,000 walkers and runners.”

Each year, more than 150 medical services volunteers—emergency medical technicians (EMT), paramedics, certified athletic trainers, nurses, physicians, health profession students and nurse practitioners—offer their medical knowledge and experience working in medical tents, route stations and various posts throughout the event.

Good communications are as vital to a medical support team just as proper training and equipment are essential to a serious runner. The setup can be described as a masterful orchestration of communications and coordination between emergency medical teams, police, fire, rescue and volunteer personnel working within two areas—the city of Charleston and town of Mount Pleasant. Participating teams quickly learn to harmonize communications skills as they master the play of radio checks and reports throughout the race. Overall communications are handled by medical, organizational and safety personnel aboard a radio command truck stationed at the finish line in Marion Square.

Hawkins coordinates medical personnel from organizations such as MEDUCARE, Charleston County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) or Rural/Metro Ambulance Service who are stationed along the race route. Throughout the course, runners can request assistance at anytime from these individuals. In addition to route stations, a bicycle support team cycles with runners and walkers along the course route. Their job is to quickly offer assistance or medical support especially in problem areas like the Silas Pearman Bridge, an area where four-wheeled vehicles would have difficulty maneuvering through crowds during an emergency.

Medical assistance is also provided at treatment tents located at Marion Square. Other personnel, stationed by the finish line chutes, identify injured runners and steer them to proper care areas. Runners needing simple attention for blisters, scrapes and bumps are directed to the non-urgent medical tent. Those requiring emergency care are sent to the urgent tent. Inside, teams of physicians, nurses, nurse assistants, technicians and respiratory therapists apply their skills in a small, temporary work area. In 1997’s Cooper River Bridge Run, medical services personnel reported more than 90 injuries where participants suffered from sprains, skinned knees or elbows and dehydration. Warmer weather that day challenged runners to drink more water in an effort to replenish the body’s lost fluids. “The most challenging work for medical personnel involved recognizing a runner in trouble,” said Rick Welch, a medical services volunteer and registered nurse working as operations coordinator for MUSC hospital’s emergency room. A person in great medical distress—exhibiting symptoms like shortness of breath and sweating—looks similar to a serious runner crossing the finish line said Welch.

In addition to medical personnel, more than 1,500 race volunteers support other roles and duties. Much of Lenhardt’s time consists of an ongoing cycle of meetings and exchanges with her army of eager people. Her volunteers consist of men, women, students, service organizations like the Exchange Club of Charleston and even MUSC groups representing students from occupational therapy, medical or dental school classes.

“Students are always encouraged to participate and get involved in various volunteer events and organizations,” said Lenhardt, a bridge run volunteer organizer since 1995.“ It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community.”

Volunteers are assigned to many jobs such as pre-race activity which includes organizing runner information packets, support for the pre-race pasta supper or assistance with the Bridge Run Expo. Other roles include serving as course monitors, start/finish line volunteers, food/water station personnel, race transportation support, and event setup/breakdown assistance.

“My job has gotten easier in the past three years thanks to this amazing group of people,” said Lenhardt. “Like life, you learn from mistakes and improve upon them. In the same process, you also learn a lot from people. It’s the volunteers which make the race so successful.” Volunteer Martie Smith, who is also an MUSC alumnus from James Island, has been a repeat bridge run volunteer since 1993. Smith, a 1995 MUSC graduate with a degree in radiation therapy, donated her time to fullfill community service requirements within her field of study. She spent countless hours stuffing runner race packets and working with pre-race activities. That interest for participation has blossomed to continued community support over the years. For 1998, Smith hopes to provide the same, if not more, time in her volunteer efforts. She cites her enjoyment of people including staff, volunteers and excitement generated by the busy race atmosphere as her motivation for returning.

Other core volunteer groups are either newcomers or old friends to the Cooper River Bridge Run. Some individuals are involved because of ties with other related programs at MUSC.

“Wing” Freeman, of Mount Pleasant, remembers his first involvement with the bridge run. It consisted of a short walk from his home to the starting line in an effort to support the runners. He kept his real desire to participate in the bridge walk at arms length. As a member of MUSC’s Senior Stay Fit Program, Freeman exercises, stretches and participates in water aerobic activities weekly. He and his fellow “stay fit” friends donated their time to the race about two years ago. During the 1997 event, Freeman prepared runner packets and helped control crowds at the Mount Pleasant starting line. Someday he hopes to pool his energy and efforts into walking the bridge. For now, he’s satisfied just lending a hand as one of the many bridge run volunteers.

Volunteers still needed for Bridge Run

Volunteers play an important role in the success of the Cooper River Bridge Run. Volunteers are still needed for both the medical areas and race day support, on Saturday, April 4.

Medical services coordinator Al Hawkins needs 200 people—students in medicine, physician's assistant program, nursing, plus other individuals and professionals with a medical background—to serve inhis corps of medical volunteers. Individuals will work between two and four hours and will receive a Bridge Run T-shirt.

Race day volunteers are also needed to work water/food stations, aid stations, Start/Finish line coordination and computer chip collection. Volunteers will work four hours and receive a Bridge Run T-shirt.

For further information regarding medical volunteers, contact Hawkins via e-mail @<Hawkial@musc.edu> or 792-3442. Please leave a message including your name, level of training, day/night phone number and indicate the best time to return your call.

General Bridge Run volunteer forms are still available and can be obtained at the Harper Student Center, Hospital Volunteer Office and most sporting good stores. Call Mary Ellen Lenhardt at 792-6610 for additional information.

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