Volunteers make all the difference to Tops in Blue

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  "I could use some volunteers over here!" yells a tall man in a gray shirt and a lifting belt while looking over a large crate filled with metal bars.

A group of people respond to his request by rushing over and taking the metal bars backstage to add to the set.

The backdrops, the intricate light and sound, and every other piece is set up and torn down at each location by performers and local volunteers during the Tops in Blues seasonal tours.

"We usually get between 10 and 20 volunteers each event, but we can use help from any number of people really," said Staff Sgt. Steven Sonnier, Vocalist for the 2010 "We Believe" Tops in Blues tour.

Volunteers have the opportunity to see the backstage work that goes on before the show, and get hands on experience assisting performers in setting up.

"Volunteers get to actually see what goes on behind the stage as far as the equipment that is used for the performance," said Kayline Hamilton, youth center director and the volunteer project officer for the Nov. 5 Tops in Blues performance. "I think they have a better perspective for the show and the cast that's performing."