By: George Wang
On October 4, 2025, I had an amazing opportunity to volunteer at the 4th Annual MoCo CARES Charity Race, an inspiring community event hosted by So What Else and Covenant Life School. The race brings together local families, businesses, and volunteers to support children and families in need across Montgomery County.
I participated as a proud member of CYOC (Capital Youth Outreach Club), a youth-led organization that partners with So What Else to support their mission through service and action. Together with other CYOC volunteers, we helped make the race a success through early-morning set-up, cheering on runners, ensuring the safety of kids, participating in the post-race service project, and assisting with clean-up.
We arrived at 7:00 AM, when it was still dark and cold. The air was crisp, and I could see my breath as we got started. Even though it was early, there was a lot of energy and excitement in the air. We knew this event was special, and it felt good to be part of something that brought people together for such a meaningful cause.
Morning Set-Up
Our first task was to help set up the event area and the 1Mile/5K race tracks. We placed signs and markers, organized tables and booths, and made sure everything was ready for the runners and families arriving later that morning. I also teamed up with other volunteers to set up fencing for the bike race, making sure the track was clearly marked and spectators stayed safe. It felt great knowing our efforts helped ensure a smooth and secure race for both participants and the audience.
Bounce House Supervision
One of the biggest physical challenges was setting up the giant inflatable slide. It was really heavy and required a lot of teamwork, communication, and strength. But once it was up and running, it became one of the highlights for the younger kids at the event.
Some of us were assigned to help supervise the kids playing on it. My job was to keep the kids organized, make sure they waited their turn, and most importantly, prevent rough play or fighting that could cause injuries. I quickly learned that even something that seems like pure fun from the outside actually requires a lot of focus and responsibility to keep safe and enjoyable.
Race Marshaling and Cheering
During the race, we also served as race marshals. We stood along the route to guide runners, offer encouragement, and cheer them on as they passed. It was inspiring to see people of all ages participating — some smiling, others pushing themselves to their limits. The energy and support from volunteers like us helped create a fun and uplifting atmosphere for everyone involved.
Community Service Project
After the races were finished, we joined other volunteers and So What Else staff to participate in the community service project. We packed non-perishable food boxes that will be delivered to local families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday. So What Else distributes thousands of meals each year, and this project helped kick-start their efforts for the season. It felt meaningful to know that something we packed today would go on to help real families in our community.
Clean-Up and the Inflatable Challenge
Finally, we began the biggest challenge of the day — cleaning up. The most physically demanding part was taking down the giant bouncing slide/house. This was my first time doing something like this, and I had no idea how much work it would take. First, we had to walk on it, squeeze it, and press out as much air as possible. It took about six or seven of us working together to roll it tightly, while others continued pressing out the leftover air.
Once it was mostly deflated, we rolled it into a large cylinder and I helped strap it tightly so it would stay secure. Then, with the help of several other volunteers, we lifted the heavy roll onto a trailer, where it would be taken away for storage. It was exhausting, but incredibly satisfying to finish the job knowing we had made a real contribution.
Final Reflection
At the end of the day, I realized something important: things that bring joy often require a lot of unseen hard work. The bouncing house brought laughter to so many kids, and the entire MoCo CARES event brought fun and purpose to hundreds of people. Being a volunteer behind the scenes made me feel proud — even if most people didn’t see the work we did, I knew it mattered.
This event gave me the chance to connect with my community, work alongside my fellow CYOC teammates, and grow as a person. I learned a lot about teamwork, leadership, patience, and responsibility. Most of all, I discovered how meaningful it is to serve others and be part of something bigger than myself.
I’m honored to be part of CYOC, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support So What Else in their mission. I look forward to coming back next year — stronger, smarter, and ready to serve in even bigger ways.
Website Editor: Sophia Wang
华府青年 CYOC 
You must be logged in to post a comment.