Preparations For A Pope: Thousands Volunteering At World Meeting Of Families
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Planners for the World Meeting of Families and the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia knew more than a year ago that they were going to need thousands of volunteers to make the events go - especially the pope's big public appearances on the weekend of Sept. 26 through the 27th.
Suzanne Kinkel, World Meeting Philadelphia's volunteer director, says the online sign-up started in April and attracted a diverse group of talent from the region and beyond.
"We have 10,274 volunteers eligible to volunteer at the World Meeting of Families," said Kinkel.
Kinkel says there are people who will be working as guides, in guest services, translation, special needs and digital media.
She says they also were offered a choice of assignments.
"The average volunteer we're seeing it's typically two-to-three days and definitely the Festival of Families and the Papal Mass has been the most popular," said Kinkel.
How will visitors be able to identify them?
Kinkel says they'll be wearing bright orange tee-shirts.
"Hash Tag 'Pope in Philly' on the back and big volunteer letters both on the front and the back. And everybody will be wearing that wonderful tee-shirt with our signature hat," said Kinkel.
