At her side, María Jesús represents the other end of the journey: someone who has just discovered everything she can contribute. She joined this summer after seeing an advertisement seeking volunteers, and she has not stopped since. She has helped at races, children’s activities in Delicias, events along Paseo de la Independencia and even the festival proclamation. "I never used to go out for the Fiestas del Pilar, and now I have signed up for all kinds of assignments," she says. Her assessment of these first few months could not be more positive: "I’m doing very well, I’m very happy."
Their stories reflect two ways of becoming involved in volunteering, but the same understanding of it: getting involved and helping others enjoy the city. Both are among the nearly 650 Zaragoza Volunteers who are supporting the Fiestas del Pilar these days, helping organize events, guiding visitors and facilitating activities. It is unpaid work that becomes especially visible in October, although it also continues throughout the year.
FROM THE FLOWER OFFERING TO CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
One of the main settings for this collaboration is the Flower Offering, where 160 volunteers took part. Their duties include collecting participants’ bouquets to speed up the creation of the mantle, providing information about access points and waiting times, and helping people along the route. The event once again broke its participation record this year, with 134,000 participants, and María Pilar is certain she does not want to miss it. "The role I like most is collecting the flowers; I’m already there at seven in the morning," she explains. For her, the emotion of that moment remains as strong as ever after so many years.
The group’s work, however, goes far beyond Plaza del Pilar. Volunteers help with children’s activities such as Tragachicos and León Garganchón, assist with managing lines and guide families at venues such as Río y Juego, at the Expo site, and the Teatro y Circo in Delicias Park. They have also taken part in the festival proclamation parade, events such as the Tribute to the Heroines of the Sieges, and various cultural and sporting initiatives. Even before the festivities began, they supported the distribution of credentials for the Fruit Offering and the underwater offering at the Aquarium.
Zaragoza Mayor Natalia Chueca, accompanied by Councillor for Citizen Participation Alfonso Mendoza, thanked the volunteers for their dedication at a meeting held in the Central Market. They highlighted the volunteers’ role in the development of the festivities and their support for residents and visitors during a program that brings together hundreds of thousands of people.
