Roanoke Rescue Mission needs help from volunteers for this year’s Drumstick DASH

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — With just a week until one of the largest annual charity events in the Star City, the Rescue Mission of Roanoke says it still needs help to make the Drumstick DASH happen this year.

Thousands of people lace up their shoes to run, walk, and jog through downtown Roanoke almost every Thanksgiving.

However, the Rescue Mission says if they don’t get some help, the streets could be empty again.

The Rescue Mission’s community outreach manager, Kevin Berry, says a lot of volunteer jobs are still open.

“The Drumstick Dash is the largest one-day event in Roanoke, and it requires a lot of volunteers. So what we are really hoping to do is get this message out to folks and let them know we are in need,” said Berry.

From course marshals to crowd control volunteers, the Rescue Mission is 40 people short of what it needs to meet the city’s permit policy.

“Know that your impact by volunteering at the Drumstick Dash may be even greater than participating in it. We love our participants and we love our volunteers, but like I said, the race cannot go on if we do not have everyone on the course,” Berry said.

According to Berry, people will be able to sign up to volunteer until Wednesday, Nov. 24.

“That greatest impact is not running the race,” said Berry. “It is coming here to volunteer.”

If you would like to volunteer for the Drumstick DASH, visit the Rescue Mission website to sign up.

If you would like to walk or run in the DASH, registration is still open for the in-person DASH on Thursday, Nov. 25, as well as the virtual DASH, which takes place through Tuesday, Nov. 30.