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Rotary, other groups volunteer to make local concerts, events possible

On a Saturday afternoon, Kearney Rotary members were at Jesse James Park. They moved sound equipment, put up shade tents, arranged barricades and filled trash cans with bags.

This is the scene each Saturday when there is a show at the Kearney Amphitheater.

Ryan Marcotte, the city’s recreation coordinator, estimated hundreds of hours of manpower each day of a concert. All of that is free labor, though, thanks to the volunteers.

“There’s lots of manual labor that goes into these shows that people don’t realize,” Marcotte said.

In addition to the typical list of chores to get the venue ready, many times the bands need help unloading equipment and setting up extra lights.

“It absolutely makes us a lot more efficient, a lot better, a lot quicker,” Marcotte said of the volunteers.

Camaraderie and civic involvement are common responses to why some Rotary members give up many of their Saturdays in the summer to help out.

“I like to be outdoors, and I like to volunteer,” Sherry Walters, a new member to Rotary, said, noting she also likes meeting new people.

In the midst of getting things setup for that night’s concert, Rotary members joked around with each other. When they stopped to think about why their help is important, they said it’s good for the community.

“There’s not a city the size of Kearney that has anything like this park,” Rotary member Craig Fischer said. “One, it’s fun; two, we just feel like we’re doing something to help promote Kearney.”

Fischer often sees the fruits of their labor at show time.

“The neat thing is to see people come from Overland Park, Leavenworth (both in Kansas), Blue Springs … for them to say, ‘This is a neat deal here,’” Fischer said.

After things are set up, Rotary members take a break and return a couple of hours before the show starts to begin taking tickets and help out with any last-minute details.

The Rotary Club is not the only group helping out at the shows. Kearney Police Explorers Post members work security around the stage, help out where needed and pick up trash after the concert.

The Knights of Columbus serves concessions using 10 to 15 volunteers at an average-size concert and up to 25 on a busy night.

“It depends on the crowd,” Chad Coffelt said.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

- Kearney Rotary Club — Contact Megan Kimberlin at 204-4486 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

- Knights of Columbus — Contact Dave Hinck at 903-8915.

- Explorer’s Post for youth — Contact Jay Bettis at 628-4142.

- Through the city — Contact Ryan Marcotte at 903-4730 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Kearney Editor Kevin M. Smith can be reached at 628-6010 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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