RAGBRAI officials prep volunteers

CEDAR RAPIDS - Amra and Mike Watkins have been looking for things to do in Cedar Rapids since they moved here last year.

A native of Bosnia, Amra met Mike in Iraq. When Mike, who works for CenturyLink, was transferred here from Omaha, Neb., she joined him, and they've been searching for activities.

“We're trying to find our place in Cedar Rapids,” said Amra, who works for the city. “We wanted to get involved in the community and see what there is to do and to experience.”

So the two were thrilled when an opportunity arose to help out during RAGBRAI's overnight stop in Cedar Rapids next Thursday and Friday. And on Thursday afternoon, the couple handed out bright orange T-shirts to newlyregistered volunteers.

Hundreds of people packed a conference room at the Longbranch Hotel, 90 Twixt Town Rd. NE, waiting for instructions.

Sue Driscoll, chairwoman of the volunteer committee for Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI, said 800 people have registered to help so far. Still, officials are 250 workers short of their goal.

But Driscoll isn't concerned. Volunteers will likely show up on the day of the event, she said, and officials will make another big push for helpers as well.

“We'll be good,” she said calmly with a nod.

Thursday's orientation and training included sessions for everyone from those on the information committee to those who'll help with breakfast before riders bike out of Cedar Rapids on Friday.

“This means people care about their community,” Driscoll said of the large crowd.

Sandi Fowler, assistant to the city manager, addressed the volunteers, acknowledging that most overnight stops on the ride cross Iowa are in small towns.

“Our challenge is to make Cedar Rapids feel like the biggest small town they've ever been in,”she said to applause.

Attendees decided to participate for all kinds of different reasons, but many said volunteering was the next best thing to riding in RAGBRAI.

Marion resident Pat Myers said she would have liked to bike, but a knee injury prevented her from doing so. Instead, she'll work the volunteer check-in station at Ellis Park.

“I like to volunteer and I like to be helpful,” Myers said. “I'm happy to see (RAGBRAI) back and to be a part of it.”

Cedar Rapids volunteers have two more opportunities for orientation. Today, officials will hold training for sanitation and recycling volunteers at the Ellis Park Maintenance Shop at noon. Another training for all other volunteers will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Prairie High School North Gym.