WELCOME TO THE LOBSTER FEST VOLUNTEER PAGE!
It takes a whole parish to put on a community event like Lobster Fest. We need help with everything from making lobster salad to setting up tables and chairs to greeting our customers. Can we count on you to help with Lobster Fest 2024?
Please see below for a list of teams with descriptions of the different work areas. Click on the links to go to individual SignUpGenius pages to see specific tasks and sign up for a shift. If you have any questions, you can contact the volunteer team lead or Alana Loughlin (alanaloughlin817@gmail.com).
VOLUNTEER TEAMS
Spreading the Word
We need everyone’s help spreading the word about Lobster Fest. Invite friends and neighbors to join us for delicious food and fun. You can grab a handful of cards and flyers at church, or print a flyer from the link in the sidebar. Post and share messages on social media, etc., and help us make this another successful event. Even if you are volunteering for another position, please also sign up here to get emails from Tad Richard (tadrichard@gmail.com) with suggestions and materials, if you are willing to help with spreading the word.
Click Here to confirm that you will help spread the word
St. Paul’s Ambassadors (Greeting Team)
We’ll have several posts for this position; one in the welcome tent and one in the Parish Hall lobby for sure. Others may float depending on where people congregate. Your task is to welcome folks and be available to answer questions of all types – especially questions NOT pertaining to lobster. How long has St. Paul’s been here? How big is your church? Do you have a school? What is ONE Wake? How do I join your church? Can I rent space? A brief Greeter Training session will be held prior to October 5 so that you will know how to answer many of these questions and make people feel welcome. Questions? Contact John Goehrke at jtgoehrke2@gmail.com.
Click Here to sign up for the St. Paul’s Ambassadors Team
Customer Check-In Team
The welcome tent is where it all begins! This is where customers who have pre-ordered will check in. We will also be able to accommodate some walk-up sales so we will have a station to collect credit card payments and cash, too. Most of these jobs don’t require standing. Questions? Contact Brian Rudy at bsrudy@yahoo.com.
Click Here to sign up for the Customer Check-In Team
Kitchen Team
Kitchen volunteers will be mostly working behind-the-scenes, doing tasks like packaging sides, making lobster salad, and toasting buns for lobster rolls. Kitchen tasks will take place in the days before and on the day of Lobster Fest. Please feel free to sign up for multiple time slots on different days! Pay close attention to the time slots as there may be overlap, and we can’t put you in two places at the same time. Except for some of the food packaging work on Friday, these positions will require volunteers to be on their feet for one to several hours, so be prepared! Volunteers in the kitchen and in serving lines will be required to wear gloves and hairnets or caps at all times when working with or around food. Questions? Contact Myrna Belingon at myrnafb@gmail.com.
Click Here to sign up for the Kitchen Team
Serving Team
Serving volunteers are our front-line and will work face-to-face with guests to serve lobster rolls and lobster / chicken meals to those dining in or taking out. Serving tasks also include communicating with the kitchen, supervising the drink station, assisting guests, and bussing tables. Serving volunteers must be on their feet for several hours and able to move between serving stations and the kitchen. Volunteers in the kitchen and in serving lines will be required to wear gloves and hairnets or caps at all times when working with or around food. Questions? Contact Ann Lockhart at annlockhart1@gmail.com.
Click Here to sign up for the Serving Team
Outside Cooking Team
The Outside Cooking crew make Lobster Fest happen! Volunteers bring the lobster cooker out of storage, work in the refrigerated lobster truck, cook lobsters, interact with our guests at the customer counters, and put everything back in place at the end of the day. This is hard – but really fun – work! Questions? Contact Jeff Kager at jeff.kager@stpaulscary.org.
Click Here to sign up for the Outside Cooking Team
Parking, Safety, and Assistance Team
Parking Lot Helpers are the first greeters for our guests, helping folks to safely park, find their way and then exit without any extra excitement! We have three set stations in the parking lot for directing cars, and one floater to assist folks needing extra help; we’ll rotate every 30 minutes so no one gets stuck in one spot. This job is a bit physical, in that you’ll be on your feet in the parking lot for most of your shift and around moving vehicles. You do get to see everyone who comes in! Questions? Contact Mary Kintz at mary.kintz@stpaulscary.org.
Click Here to sign up for the Parking, Safety, and Assistance Team
Set-Up and Take-Down Team
The Set-Up and Take-Down crew are responsible for getting our working and dining spaces ready before – and then getting spaces returned to normal after – the big event. These tasks include setting up tables and chairs, cutting table coverings and decorating dining tables, setting up a tent for musicians, etc. Bring your muscles for these jobs! Questions? Contact Tad Richard at tadrichard@gmail.com.
Click Here to Sign Up for the Set-Up and Take-Down Team
Special Teams
This is the behind-the-scenes crew – the ones making it happen! These tend to be critical jobs that serve the overall success of the event – great for those with just a bit of time to spare for the cause but want to make a huge contribution! Delivery will be very limited this year. Don’t see something you like? Check back often; this is where the “last minute needs” will show up, too! Questions? Contact Brian Rudy at bsrudy@yahoo.com.
Click Here to sign up for Special Teams
Youth Volunteers Wanted!
There are many Lobster Fest jobs that are ideal for Youth, from setting up tables and chairs to toasting buns for lobster rolls to running cooked lobsters between the cooking area and serving line. WE WANT YOUth to be part of the event! Questions? Contact Alana Loughlin at alanaloughlin817@gmail.com.
Click Here to sign up for Youth Volunteer Opportunities