Politics
DNC Volunteers Enthusiastic About Next Week’s Convention: ‘It’s History in the Making’
Curtis Wilson from Aurora, left, and Natalie Goodman from Lombard attend a DNC volunteer appreciation rally at Wrigley Field on Aug. 15, 2024. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Natalie Goodman from Lombard said she was inspired to volunteer at the Democratic National Convention because of Vice President Kamala Harris — they both share the same sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha — and because of memories of attending the 1968 DNC in Chicago with her mother.
“I just felt this need to be a part of the process,” said Goodman, 63, whose role as a volunteer will include checking credentials, greeting guests and passing out information flyers.
Goodman is one of the 17,000 people who have applied to volunteer at the DNC, according to organizers, who said there were an additional 15,000 people on the waitlist.
The DNC kicks off Monday with main events taking place at the United Center and McCormick Place. The four-day convention is expected to draw more than 50,000 people to the city.
Volunteers gathered Thursday evening at Wrigley Field for a volunteer appreciation rally hosted by the local DNC host committee. Volunteers for the DNC range from 16 to 102 years old and come from every Chicago zip code and U.S. state, organizers said.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks to DNC volunteers at Wrigley Field on Aug. 15, 2024. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
“People are coming from all over the nation, and all over the world, not just to nominate Kalama Harris and Tim Walz, but also to see our beautiful city and experience the hospitality that all of you are bringing to them,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said to volunteers during the rally.
Also speaking to the volunteers Thursday were Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, Vice Mayor and Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) and Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts.
While waiting in line to get into Wrigley Field, Goodman met another DNC volunteer, Curtis Wilson from Aurora.
Fueled by his passion for volunteerism, Wilson, 43, began looking late last year for opportunities to volunteer at the DNC and the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
“I believe we need to be more linked as far as how we treat each other, as far as basic civility, basic decency,” Wilson said. “So with that, I said, let me figure out a way that I can just bring a pleasant attitude of welcoming spirit to the environment that I serve in.”
During the DNC, Wilson will help set up at the United Center, check credentials, provide directions and prepare delegate bags. Wilson was named Aurora’s inaugural volunteer of the year in April, in addition to being a recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award in 2022.
Longtime Chicago Cubs fan and local celebrity Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers makes an appearance in a Kamala Harris jersey at Wrigley Field on Aug. 15, 2024. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
As volunteers waited to get into Wrigley Field for the event, longtime Chicago Cubs fan and local celebrity Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers also made an appearance in a Kamala Harris jersey. Wickers quickly caught the attention of volunteers, with some approaching him to take photos.
“It’s time for a change,” Wickers said to WTTW News. “Harris can do a good job, and she will run away with the election. It won’t be a contest, she’ll blow them away.”
Another DNC volunteer in attendance at Thursday’s volunteer rally was Francesca O., who didn’t want to use her full name for safety reasons. Francesca traveled from Wisconsin, where she volunteers for the state’s Democratic Party.
Francesca, a former Chicago resident, said her journey of volunteering began after hearing Hillary Clinton speak in Milwaukee about the importance of volunteering and not losing hope following her loss in the U.S. presidential election in 2016.
Next week, Francesca will be providing transportation for guests attending the convention.
“I’m excited about the possibility of who I may meet and be driving,” Francesca said. “And just being able to be a part of the experience and all of that enthusiasm and energy around the Harris-Walz ticket.”
DNC volunteers gather at Wrigley Field for a volunteer appreciation rally on Aug. 15, 2024. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Angela Church, 63, will be traveling from Atlanta with her daughter to volunteer at a booth for the Human Rights Campaign at McCormick Place.
Church had initially attempted to apply online to volunteer through the DNC, but got an emailed response that there was no longer a need for more volunteers. Church, a former Chicago resident and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, learned about the opportunity to volunteer with the Human Rights Campaign at the DNC through the sorority’s volunteer page.
“It’s bigger than Kamala Harris being a female or being a Black female or even being a member of my sorority,” Church said. “The energy and excitement around a qualified candidate that promises to bring change, not to just Democrats, but to all Americans, is very intriguing and exciting.”
Church plans on attending a Harris rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday during the week of the DNC.
Kenwood resident Roxanne Hubbard, 65, was encouraged by Church to also volunteer at the Human Rights Campaign booth during the DNC.
Hubbard said it will be her first time attending a political convention.
“It’s history in the making,” Hubbard said, “They couldn’t have picked a better city to have the DNC convention, and I want to be a part of that.”
Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]
