Volunteering with a Purpose

by: Julie A. Beckner

In 2022 around the campfire I heard Rachael Pierce talking about her volunteer experience with something called the 50 Mile March and her desire to qualify to march in 2023. My daughter Stephanie Dashner became motivated to qualify in honor our military family members and friends. I knew I wouldn’t make the 50 miles, but hey, I’m in as a volunteer. The leg leaving Lincoln brought tears to my eyes. The arrival at Stonebrook brought tears to my eyes. Repeat each leg. Approximately 30 hours volunteering and about 40 hours or more awake. I left Nebraska Brewing landing 2023 exhausted and hangry telling myself I wouldn’t do that again. But, after 12 hours of sleep I could hear Jay’s mantra “They served for us, we march for them.” and I reached out to Leon Haith. Put me on the volunteer list for 2024!

2024 was like wash, rinse and repeat x2 compared to 2023 due to the number of walkers. The same but not the same because the heat and humidity this year was brutal. The last two legs when walkers came in pale, exhausted, limping and I heard walkers giving each other encouragement moved me immeasurably. I saw my co-volunteers dig in for what more we could do to comfort and assist. I thought oh my god what a testimonial to the goodness in people. But, nothing can eclipse the depth of feeling and emotions I had at the landing when we witnessed March brothers and sisters wrap their arms around another limping, struggling walker to provide support to the finish. I will forever have that picture in my mind.

Year two volunteering I left Nebraska Brewing landing 2024 telling myself I wouldn’t do that again. But with sleep and Jay’s mantra “They served for us, we march for them.” . . . yal’ll put me on the volunteer list for 2025!