As the cherry blossom trees bloomed brightly at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, thousands of guests arrived to enjoy the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. To ensure smooth admissions, World Mission Society Church of God volunteers stepped in to assist.
About 100 members volunteered during the Sukura Matsuri, which means Cherry Blossom Festival in Japanese. They guided visitors to the correct lines, answered questions, and helped manage the crowd. Their presence kept the flow of guests moving while creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Support That Staff Could Count On
“It’s always good when people are here greeting people and giving them information,” said Zach Gold, a member of the admissions department. “It’s really important to make sure that the line operates smoothly. Without them [Church of God volunteers], it’s just me and three of my co-workers.”
The festival expected more than 40,000 guests that day, making the support of the volunteers essential. Without their help, line control and guest services would have been overwhelming for the staff. Instead, volunteers worked together to give each guest a positive and stress-free experience.
Smiles That Brightened the Day
“This is a really huge event and so many people are out here,” said volunteer Tina Renick. “We wanted to volunteer because we have done a lot of community service and volunteer events in New Jersey, but this is one of the first events we were able to do in Brooklyn, specifically, and be more a part of the New York City community.”
AThroughout the day, volunteers greeted guests with smiles, even as the sun beamed down on them. They handed out pamphlets and maps so visitors could easily find their way around the garden. Their cheerful energy set the tone for a memorable experience.
“Thank you very much for all your help today,” Jeanine Poggioli, manager of Visitor Services, said to the volunteers. “We really appreciate it. Keep those smiles going.”
Staying true to Heavenly Mother’s teaching to be joyful always, keeping those smiles going is exactly what the members of the Church of God plan to do. With this being the latest installation to the World Mission Society Church of God’s Smile Campaign, to bring wellness and happiness to the community, the members hope this will be the first of many volunteer efforts in the Brooklyn area.
2 Responses
Wow, what a beautiful and loving event. The Botanical Gardens is such a special place. Even the air smells cleaner inside. So many people appeared for this event. I’m not sure how it could have been any more organized thanks to the wonderful Church if God. Smiles could be seen wherever you looked. Go Church of God!
It’s not every day that one can find cherry blossoms in full bloom. It’s also not common to be greeted with a smile from members of our youth. I was happy to see the members of the Church of God were able to welcome the visitors to two rarities that day; cherry blossoms in full bloom and a warm smile.