Volunteers keep the show on the road

BY TOM LAVIS
The Tribune-Democrat

June 26, 2008 11:32 pm

— As tens of thousands of motorcycle riders roll into town for Thunder in the Valley, few may notice 19-year-old Cody Gibson pedaling his 26-inch Roadmaster bicycle around downtown.
But if it weren’t for people like Gibson, Thunder in the Valley would hit a major speed bump.
Gibson, of South Fork, is one of the foot soldiers in the army of volunteers who make the nationally acclaimed rally a reality.
If he continues to work the way he has, he should be in line for a promotion.
“This is my second year volunteering and I love it,” Gibson said Thursday as he manned an Ambassador Tent at Main and Walnut streets. “I rode my bike downtown on Monday, and I have been here ever since.”
While he donates countless hours, several vendors have offered to pay him to get merchandise ready and prepare tents.
“I worked for one outfit from 5 p.m. to 3 in the morning (Wednesday) night,” he said. “They allowed me to sleep in the tent and said they will pay for my help.”
Even in 80-degree heat, Gibson proudly wore a pair of fingerless, leather motorcycle gloves that the vendor gave him.
“My mom dropped me off on the top of Solomon Run Hill and I buzzed into town from there on my bike,” Gibson said.
Volunteers come from all walks of life.
Successful businesswoman Sharyn Spinelli retired from the restaurant business but still feels drawn to the downtown.
She was busy Wednesday riding a shuttle cart delivering walkie-talkies to other volunteers.
“I do whatever the Convention and Visitors Bureau needs me to do,” she said, holding up a yellow sheet of paper with a to-do list. “I love this city and am glad that we can generate national recognition from this event.”
Barbara Saitta, 51, of Solomon Homes, also was working an Ambassador Tent, handing out pamphlets and answering questions.
“I just loving coming downtown and seeing all the motorcycles and meeting the people,” she said.
“I will be doing this for as long as they want me to do it.”
Saitta is no stranger to helping others. She has collected for the March of Dimes and walked in support of fighting muscular dystrophy.
Certain jobs require the gift of gab and bubbly personalities and two couples working one of the Thunder Pubs filled the bill.
Jim and Sandy Stern of Windber and Gary and Shirley Cameron of Richland Township, members of the Johnstown chapter of the Harley Owners Group, were joyfully putting in their four-hour stint checking identifications and handing out wristbands.
They have been a part of the motorcycle rally since its inception and eagerly anticipate the event each year.
“I never thought it would get this big,” said Jim Stern, who saw about 3,000 people show up for the initial rally.
But watching the Sterns and Camerons interact with the public, it’s no wonder people keep coming back. Their easygoing and welcoming style truly makes Johnstown live up to its reputation as the Friendly City.
Sandy Stern, who sports a few tattoos, said she and her husband have been riding motorcycles for 50 years.
“I got my first tattoo on my 40th birthday, and that was 27 years ago,” she said. “When we are not volunteering, we will be downtown most of the time.”
At the Elks along Locust Street, Mike Rocker, 79, of Westmont and his wife, Donna, brave the elements to serve visitors everything from hot sausage sandwiches to haluski.
“I started at 11 this morning and we will probably be here until 10 or 11 tonight,” said Rocker, seated at a cash register and breathing from a portable oxygen machine. “We will be here every day of Thunder. It’s great.”

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.