September/October 2018 | Page 21

They were packing up to go home. That’s when the breakdown crew goes to work to pack everything up. We usually work until about 7 or 8 p.m. until the last pallet is loaded onto the truck. Each year I regret not getting enough fresh volunteers to help pack everything up. In a matter of a few hours a 108 chair dental clinic disappears into boxes, crates and pallets. With nearly everyone gone sans a few die hard individuals, Gary and I do a final walk around the venue to make sure we have left it as we found it Thursday morning. Thank you to Dr. Ron Heier, Dr. Chris Kotchick, Marie Davis, Liz Davis, and the others that remain to the bitter end each year. MOM-n-PA is the three hardest days of the year for me, but also the three most rewarding. That doesn’t count all the hours preparing, ordering and organizing before the event. And that’s just me. Other leads and chairs are working even harder to make sure they have what th ey need for a successful event. They include volunteers, hospitality, local arrangements, dental supplies, radiology, just to name a few. Our volunteers are the most selfless individuals I have ever known and I love every one of them. For me, it was life changing back in 2013 and continues to be a source of joy all year long. Consider joining us in 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Clark Summit, June 7-8, 2019. Set-up is June 6, 2019. Did I inspire you? I hope so! SEP TEM BER/OC TOBER 2018 | P EN N SYLVAN IA DEN TAL JOURNAL 19