The Volunteer of the Year is an award that is composed of so much more than just the physical act of volunteering. While you can easily see the hours of volunteering this Strider logs, it is undeniable what a dependable and selfless member of MVS they are.
Who is this Strider? I like to think of her as the supplier of a tremendous amount of motivation.
Her commitment and follow through are inspirational. When she wants to accomplish a task, she reads up, studies, applies herself and GOES FOR IT! There are many days that I don’t want to get up and go, but, she pulls me! She is so subtle and understated in her delivery, she just does it, no fanfare, just 100% drive!
I am sure that I have now revealed enough clues, and you know that I am talking about the Marvelous Margi JohnsTon.
She is a runner for all seasons:
In the fall she can be seen greeting new walkers and runners at the “Feaster Walk to Run Program.” She is a reliable and welcoming face at the Feaster Five helping out in all aspects from planning to execution. She immerses herself in all areas with including the closing down the expo and the big move, aaand you can find her in the pre-dawn hour setting up on Thanksgiving morning.
Through the long and dark winter months, she is out there daily, plugging away at the miles, representing MVS at local races and cheering on each and every runner! This year she took on the task of organizing the MVS runners for the Mill Cities Relay. She was an instrumental member of the Iron Runner committee, helping to research and organize the running roster!
Spring blooms and she can be seen at packet stuffing and eagerly cheering on all of the Striders running the Boston Marathon, which includes her this year!
As summer approaches you can see her social side after Stachey’s runs with a glass of wine in hand and a welcoming smile ready to chat and to listen.
In any season you can see her greeting new members, and talking up the club at races. Her athletic perseverance is on display at so many local races from charitable 5ks, to half marathons and beyond.
Her enthusiasm and dedication to the sport is so evident, in fact, today, a coworker of hers handmade her a scarf so she may “keep warm” on her early and cold morning miles.
Margi is the kind of person that you want in your “corner.” She is the first to offer anyone help, and always stays to make sure everything is perfect before setting out on her way.
Margi is the very definition of selfless, and her time with the club is no exception. The probability of attending an MVS event whether it be a race, a hosted run, a Stachey’s run, or a volunteer opportunity she is there.
Please join me in congratulating the 2019 Volunteer of the Year, Margret Johnston.