Volunteer
Take a magical train ride on the North Pole Express
for the adventure of a lifetime! This is one of our school’s largest fundraisers. With 2700 passengers and approximately 300 volunteers, the train departs from the train station and heads to the North Pole where Santa and his friends board for a visit. Memories of a lifetime are made for every child and adult as they eat their treat, hear the story, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', sing their favorite Christmas carol and play Christmas trivia. Chair People: Michelle Caso Simpson & Debbie Green Contact Us: [email protected] Event Date: Saturday, December 12, 2015 Where: Newburyport MBTA Train Station Times: 11:35 am, 1:15 pm, 3:15 pm, 5:30 pm |
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Mandatory Training Session
Every volunteer must attend one training session, there will be two to choose from:
Thursday, November 12, 2015 OR Wednesday, November 18, 2015
7:00pm to 9:00pm in Saint Michael School Main Street Atrium
*All volunteers MUST complete a new CORI form each year with the school and have completed a Protecting God's Children Workshop. For Information on upcoming workshops please call (978) 686-4050. Thank you for keeping our children safe!
Thursday, November 12, 2015 OR Wednesday, November 18, 2015
7:00pm to 9:00pm in Saint Michael School Main Street Atrium
*All volunteers MUST complete a new CORI form each year with the school and have completed a Protecting God's Children Workshop. For Information on upcoming workshops please call (978) 686-4050. Thank you for keeping our children safe!
Volunteer Positions
Pre-Event Volunteers
Preschool Outreach Team
This team consists of 1 to 3 people. This individual will be in charge of the solicitation of the local preschools to participate in our event. Flyers will be supplied by the Co-Chairs.
Santa’s Workshop Decorating Team
This team consists of 5 to 10. Santa’s Workshop is located at the train station. It is an old train station house which needs to be converted to a Christmas Spectacular Wonderland. Prior to the event, decorations need to be purchased, designed and made. Please note that actual set-up of the workshop will take place sometime on the Friday before the event (time to be determined at a later date).
Solicitation Team
This team consists of at least 5 people (the more people soliciting, the better). Members of this team will revisit past sponsors to obtain their sponsorship once again, as well as to approach additional sponsors. They will be provided access to a google docs master list with potential sponsors. They will also receive the sponsor letter, donation form, and sponsor opportunities breakdown via hard copies and/or electronic files. This team may solicit potential sponsors via in person, snail mail, e-mail, etc. These sponsors help to defray the cost of the train, supplies and additional vendors needed to run the event.
Preschool Outreach Team
This team consists of 1 to 3 people. This individual will be in charge of the solicitation of the local preschools to participate in our event. Flyers will be supplied by the Co-Chairs.
Santa’s Workshop Decorating Team
This team consists of 5 to 10. Santa’s Workshop is located at the train station. It is an old train station house which needs to be converted to a Christmas Spectacular Wonderland. Prior to the event, decorations need to be purchased, designed and made. Please note that actual set-up of the workshop will take place sometime on the Friday before the event (time to be determined at a later date).
Solicitation Team
This team consists of at least 5 people (the more people soliciting, the better). Members of this team will revisit past sponsors to obtain their sponsorship once again, as well as to approach additional sponsors. They will be provided access to a google docs master list with potential sponsors. They will also receive the sponsor letter, donation form, and sponsor opportunities breakdown via hard copies and/or electronic files. This team may solicit potential sponsors via in person, snail mail, e-mail, etc. These sponsors help to defray the cost of the train, supplies and additional vendors needed to run the event.
Decorating Volunteers
Shift One – 6:00am to 9:30am
Shift Two – 5:15pm to 8:30pm
Decorating Team
This team consists of at least 20 to 30 people (shift one). They will arrive at the train station four to five hours before the first train departs on the day of the event. Each of the seven train cars and the train station are all decorated in a Christmas Spectacular Wonderland.
Breakdown Team
This team consists of at least 5 to 10 people (shift two). They will arrive at the train station just before the last train departs. They will carefully breakdown the station, platform and station house. Boxes and bins will be available to store the decorations.
Shift One – 6:00am to 9:30am
Shift Two – 5:15pm to 8:30pm
Decorating Team
This team consists of at least 20 to 30 people (shift one). They will arrive at the train station four to five hours before the first train departs on the day of the event. Each of the seven train cars and the train station are all decorated in a Christmas Spectacular Wonderland.
Breakdown Team
This team consists of at least 5 to 10 people (shift two). They will arrive at the train station just before the last train departs. They will carefully breakdown the station, platform and station house. Boxes and bins will be available to store the decorations.
On Train Volunteers
Shift One – 10:30am to 2:30pm
Shift Two – 2:15pm to 6:45pm
Conductors
This team consists of 14 people. These are adults who will be in charge of their train car. Each car will have one conductor (seven train cars – two shifts – each shift is two train rides). They will greet the passengers as they enter the train. They will lead their car of passengers in Christmas trivia (which is provided) and Christmas caroling, speaking into a hand-held microphone. They will wear black pants, white turtleneck or white shirt with holiday tie, black comfy shoes and a navy blue blazer. They will be provided with a blue conductor’s hat. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Frosty
This team consists of 2 people (one per shift – each shift is two rides). Frosty will remain in the cast car as the train travels to the NORTH POLE. Once there, Frosty will depart the car with the elves and entertain the passengers. They will be provided with a full costume. They should dress in something lightweight (as the costume gets warm). There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Readers
This team consists of 14 people. These are adults who will be reading the story to their train car. Each car will have one reader (seven train cars – two shifts – each shift is two train rides). A headset microphone will be provided so everyone in the car can hear the story. The story book is provided. The reader will also work with the conductor in keeping the Christmas spirit alive in the car for the entire ride. They will wear pajamas and a robe (slippers are optional). They have a choice of wearing their own or we can provide them. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Rudolph
This team consists of 2 people (one per shift – each shift is two rides). Rudolph will remain in the cast car as the train travels to the NORTH POLE. Once there, Rudolph will depart the car with the elves and entertain the passengers. They will be provided with a full costume. They should dress in something lightweight (as the costume gets warm). There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Servers
This team consists of 28 people. The day of the event, there will be two servers per train car per shift (there are seven train cars and two shifts on the day of the event – four train rides – two train rides per shift – 14 servers per shift). The servers dress in black pants, plain white turtleneck or plain white long sleeve t-shirt and black comfy shoes. They are provided with a white apron, white kerchief and white hat. They serve the passengers their cookies and cool drink during the first half of the excursion (while heading to the NORTH POLE). They are also in charge of cleaning all of the trash in the car before the next ride. These members must be at least in high school. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Shift One – 10:30am to 2:30pm
Shift Two – 2:15pm to 6:45pm
Conductors
This team consists of 14 people. These are adults who will be in charge of their train car. Each car will have one conductor (seven train cars – two shifts – each shift is two train rides). They will greet the passengers as they enter the train. They will lead their car of passengers in Christmas trivia (which is provided) and Christmas caroling, speaking into a hand-held microphone. They will wear black pants, white turtleneck or white shirt with holiday tie, black comfy shoes and a navy blue blazer. They will be provided with a blue conductor’s hat. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Frosty
This team consists of 2 people (one per shift – each shift is two rides). Frosty will remain in the cast car as the train travels to the NORTH POLE. Once there, Frosty will depart the car with the elves and entertain the passengers. They will be provided with a full costume. They should dress in something lightweight (as the costume gets warm). There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Readers
This team consists of 14 people. These are adults who will be reading the story to their train car. Each car will have one reader (seven train cars – two shifts – each shift is two train rides). A headset microphone will be provided so everyone in the car can hear the story. The story book is provided. The reader will also work with the conductor in keeping the Christmas spirit alive in the car for the entire ride. They will wear pajamas and a robe (slippers are optional). They have a choice of wearing their own or we can provide them. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Rudolph
This team consists of 2 people (one per shift – each shift is two rides). Rudolph will remain in the cast car as the train travels to the NORTH POLE. Once there, Rudolph will depart the car with the elves and entertain the passengers. They will be provided with a full costume. They should dress in something lightweight (as the costume gets warm). There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Servers
This team consists of 28 people. The day of the event, there will be two servers per train car per shift (there are seven train cars and two shifts on the day of the event – four train rides – two train rides per shift – 14 servers per shift). The servers dress in black pants, plain white turtleneck or plain white long sleeve t-shirt and black comfy shoes. They are provided with a white apron, white kerchief and white hat. They serve the passengers their cookies and cool drink during the first half of the excursion (while heading to the NORTH POLE). They are also in charge of cleaning all of the trash in the car before the next ride. These members must be at least in high school. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Parking Lot Volunteers
Shift One – 10:00am to 2:30pm
Shift Two – 2:15pm to 6:15pm
Parking Lot and Platform Team
This team consists of at least 10 to 15 people. They will help to control the cars in the parking lot, directing them where to park. They will direct the volunteers to board the train. They will direct the passengers to Santa’s Workshop and where to line-up in the seven car lines for boarding the train. They need to dress warm and should have a flashlight. They will be provided with a reflective vest. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Shift One – 10:00am to 2:30pm
Shift Two – 2:15pm to 6:15pm
Parking Lot and Platform Team
This team consists of at least 10 to 15 people. They will help to control the cars in the parking lot, directing them where to park. They will direct the volunteers to board the train. They will direct the passengers to Santa’s Workshop and where to line-up in the seven car lines for boarding the train. They need to dress warm and should have a flashlight. They will be provided with a reflective vest. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Santa's Workshop Volunteers
Shift One – 9:45am to 1:45pm
Shift Two – 1:30pm to 6:00pm
Santa’s Workshop Characters
This team consists of 12 people (six per shift – each shift is two rides). Santa’s Workshop is located at the train station in the station building. There will be elves, gingerbread and reindeer characters. These characters will entertain, mingle and take pictures with the passengers before they board the train. They will be provided with a full costume. They should dress in something lightweight (as the costume gets warm). Santa’s Workshop will be open one hour before the train leaves the station for visitors. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Santa’s Workshop Personnel
This team consists of 16 people (eight per shift – each shift is two rides). Santa’s Workshop is located at the train station in the station building. There will be activities and photo opportunities for passengers before they board the train. Santa’s Workshop will be open one hour before the train leaves the station for visitors. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Shift One – 9:45am to 1:45pm
Shift Two – 1:30pm to 6:00pm
Santa’s Workshop Characters
This team consists of 12 people (six per shift – each shift is two rides). Santa’s Workshop is located at the train station in the station building. There will be elves, gingerbread and reindeer characters. These characters will entertain, mingle and take pictures with the passengers before they board the train. They will be provided with a full costume. They should dress in something lightweight (as the costume gets warm). Santa’s Workshop will be open one hour before the train leaves the station for visitors. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Santa’s Workshop Personnel
This team consists of 16 people (eight per shift – each shift is two rides). Santa’s Workshop is located at the train station in the station building. There will be activities and photo opportunities for passengers before they board the train. Santa’s Workshop will be open one hour before the train leaves the station for visitors. There will be a training session in the school one night within a month before the day of the event.
Platform Entertainment Volunteers
Ride One – 9:45am to 11:45am
Ride Two – 11:30am to 1:30pm
Ride Three – 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Ride Four – 3:30pm to 5:45pm
Carolers
This team consists of the platform entertainment. While the passengers are waiting to board their train, they are entertained by carolers and/or musicians. These can be an existing group of middle-schoolers, high-schoolers or adult group. These groups will lead the waiting passengers in sing-a-longs, etc. The groups do not need to entertain all day. Several groups can share this job; i.e., one group per scheduled ride time. The entertainment will be continuous intervals throughout the day, beginning forty-five minutes before each scheduled train ride.
Ride One – 9:45am to 11:45am
Ride Two – 11:30am to 1:30pm
Ride Three – 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Ride Four – 3:30pm to 5:45pm
Carolers
This team consists of the platform entertainment. While the passengers are waiting to board their train, they are entertained by carolers and/or musicians. These can be an existing group of middle-schoolers, high-schoolers or adult group. These groups will lead the waiting passengers in sing-a-longs, etc. The groups do not need to entertain all day. Several groups can share this job; i.e., one group per scheduled ride time. The entertainment will be continuous intervals throughout the day, beginning forty-five minutes before each scheduled train ride.