Chicago 2016 issued a media release Tuesday announcing it has recruited its 3,000th volunteer for its 2016 Summer Olympic Games bid.
According to the media release volunteers have made a significant contribution since the bid’s inception, devoting their time and energy to strategic initiatives, daily office tasks, parades and street festivals and major undertakings.
Pat Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016 said, “we have been amazed at the outpouring of people who have approached our organization wanting to get involved in any way to help further the bid. I feel it’s indicative of the enthusiasm and support for the bid throughout the city and region. Volunteers represent a true success story for Chicago 2016”.
Volunteers have been assisting at most public events and donating their time to the Chicago 2016 booth at festivals as well as riding the Chicago 2016 float at parades across the city.
They represent a cross-section of Chicago, coming from various ethnic, cultural, business, civic, academic and sporting communities.
When World Sport Chicago, a not-for-profit organization created by Chicago 2016 to promote amateur sport, hosted the AIBAWorld Boxing Championships last October about 1,000 volunteers played a variety of roles from security and hospitality to acting as translators.
Bill Scherr, chairman of World Sport Chicago said, “without a doubt our volunteer team was indispensable in the successful operation of the boxing championships. So many people put in long days and really went above and beyond our expectations. In the end they were a vital part of that event’s success”.
Volunteers will continue to participate in several events including the upcoming U.S. Olympic Media Summit in Chicago April 13-16, the International Sports Leadership Conference April 30-May 1 and Olympic Week from May 5-9.
They will also be a part of the Chicago 2016 contingent at the Shamrock Shuffle Export March 28-30 as well as the Shamrock Shuffle 8k road race on March 30.
