Day Nine Post Prompts

[schadenfreude]

 What are you most looking forward to?

Right now, it is the Sertoma Chili Cook-off, a fund-raising event for children's charities here in town.  I always describe it as New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, and St. Patrick's Day rolled up into one huge party.  I usually work in the concessions stand, selling non chili food items, and non-alcoholic beverages.  There is live music, the businesses that rent booths are over the top and hilarious.  The people who attend are laughing and happy – in the 15 years I've been volunteering, I've only seen one altercation that had to be contained, and the participants expelled.

Comments

[schadenfreude]

It truly is. I had a personal tragedy and lost my twin sister and mother in 2009. My oldest sister was concerned that I would lose my mind (a legitimate fear) from being alone. She and her husband are members of a local chapter of Sertoma, and she signed me up to volunteer with them at all of their fund raising events throughout the year. The Chili Cook-off is my absolute favorite because it always has the highest attendance and I see people I've known all of my life, and always make "new" friends.

I honestly can't say it's an altruistic event for me - I do it not just because we're raising money for children's charities, I do it because it makes ME feel good - not only being a contributor, but having fun at the same time.