Tuesday, October 13, 2015
2015 Ashley Country
Christmas Volunteer Positions
General
Information:
·
These Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive trips,
The North Pole Express, are featuring the 1940s – 1950s time period and loosely
based on the “Polar Express” book and movie. This PM 1225 locomotive was the
model for the train in the movie.
·
Train passengers are in Ashley for 2 hours to
enjoy activities, sights, and sounds of Christmas at an earlier time including
World War II
·
The first gift of Christmas drawing is held
approximately 15 minutes before the train departs back to Owosso; the large
clock outdoors has the time set to the drawing time
·
The train trip schedule is Fridays 7:00 - 9:00,
Saturdays 12:00 – 2:00 and 6:00 – 8:00, Sundays 4:00 – 6:00 from November 20
through December 20. (Please see brochure for daily schedule)
·
Please keep in mind that heated buildings are
not overly warm due to constant door opening/closing
·
Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled
work shift and meet with the Volunteer Coordinator at the Emporium (Remenar
Building)
Volunteers needed for each train trip:
Hobo camp:
3 – 4 volunteers dressed as typical (old tweed sports coats, wool pea coats,
hats, army type clothes, wool gloves) for hobos of the time will be around the
campfire/hobo area and parked locomotive, primarily outdoors. Skills needed are
basic knowledge of the hobo lifestyle of the time, able to work outdoors, and
being crowd friendly. Hobos were not
necessarily dirty, or appearing to be as bums or panhandlers. Harmonica playing
is a plus! Many visitors like their pictures taken with the hobos.
Childrens’ Crafts area:
4 – 6 volunteers to assist children putting together simple crafts they take
with them. In the Emporium (Remenar Building). Building is heated. Skills
needed are being welcoming, and patient with children. Volunteers are welcome
to and encouraged to wear clothing/hats of the 40s – 50s time period.
Ticket booth:
1 or 2 volunteers in the Ashley Community Center (heated building) will sell
wristbands to attendees who did not arrive by train, as some attractions
require a wristband for entrance, and will be able to answer questions (where
is, what time, etc.?). Skills needed are
being welcoming, able to handle money/make change, ability to interact with the
public. Volunteers are welcome to and encouraged to clothing/hats of the 40s –
50s.
Ashley Theater:
1 volunteer at the door (theater is a room inside the Emporium) will direct
theater attendees to bleacher seating, answer questions, assist performers with
questions, stage issues, etc., if needed, straighten chairs and tidy area after
performances. Skills needed are being welcoming and attentive. Building is
heated. Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to wear clothing/hats of the 40s
– 50s.
Photo Opportunity
with the 1225: 2 volunteers will offer to take group photos with the
attendees own cameras, phones, etc., so their entire family/group may be in
their photo with the 1225. Photos with
the 1225 is a very popular activity. One volunteer may organize groups while
the other volunteer takes photos. There is no charge to attendees for this
service. These are outdoor positions. Skills needed are being crowd friendly,
assertive, organized, basic camera/phone knowledge, and able to work in the
cold. Volunteers are welcome to and encouraged to dress warmly in coats/clothing/hats
of the 40s – 50s. Touch screen gloves are very useful.
Santa’s Workshop:
4 – 5 volunteers to assist the Sawdust Santa’s group in the Emporium with
helping children put together the wooden toy kit (cost $5) they choose to make and take; this is a very popular activity.
Building is heated. Volunteers will wear t-shirts provided by the Sawdust
Santa’s group. Skills needed are being friendly and patient with children and
their adults, and tolerating a moderately loud noise level and flurry of
activity.
Emporium Building
entrance: 2 volunteers to monitor that attendees at the Emporium
(Remenar building) have train tickets or the wristbands required for entry.
This is typically indoors just inside
the entrance door. Inside the Emporium
are the Ashley Theater, Santa’s Workshop, Childrens’ Crafts, face painting,
balloon animals and more. Skills needed are being friendly, welcoming and
assertive, able to answer information questions. Volunteers are welcome to and
encouraged to dress in warm clothing/hats typical of the 40s – 50s.
Selling Balloon and Face Painting Tickets: Collecting the money for balloon and the face
painter. Giving the buyer a ticket to
turn into the booth.
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