On March 1, I volunteered at the 27th Annual Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off, held from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Ithaca Commons. Throughout the day, I took on several roles to support vendors and keep the event running smoothly. I checked in regularly with sellers to see if they needed anything, like water, food, or short breaks, and also helped organize food tickets into groups of ten.

This experience gave me a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into planning and running a large public event. I picked up skills in multitasking, attention to detail, and respectful assertiveness, all while staying flexible in a fast-paced setting. Even with the hustle, it was rewarding to know my efforts helped make the day enjoyable for so many people.