On an icy 29°F, February 13th, 14 Leadership San Antonio (LSA) Class 45 members gathered at Lot C of the Alamodome. Sharing breakfast tacos, waters, and snacks, the team prepared for a long 12-hour shift as Alamo Area Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers. At 7:45 a.m., LSA45 filed down the stairs, under the train tracks, and into Gate 5 for volunteer check-in.

Masked, dressed in layers, and practicing social distancing, the team signed waivers and donned blue volunteer vests. The group returned to the volunteer bullpen in the Alamodome’s hallway for a greeting and brief introduction from the City of San Antonio team members. And we were off! 

Each LSA45-er was assigned a job to help with COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Some of us were responsible for confirming and welcoming recipients to the vaccination site. Others highlighted key areas of forms to ensure appropriate data collection, while a third group verified form completeness and ran clipboards to and from the filing tent.

About halfway through the day, the team broke for lunch. LSA45’s own Mike Vela coordinated lunch for all MRC volunteers and city staff. Thanks to Taco Cabana who donated the delicious spread.

“There was an aura of kindness all day. All of the volunteers were happy to help our community take steps toward a post-COVID life,” said Justin Simone, Senior Manager at Accenture Federal Services and current LSA 45 Class member. ”We saw what makes San Antonio great in our 12 hours at the Alamodome.”

The LSA45 volunteers appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the logistics of such a vital and complex undertaking from the City’s Operations team for the Alamodome’s COVID-19 response.

Following lunch, LSA45 volunteers returned to their duty stations to complete the day, engaging with, putting at ease, and serving 1,758 San Antonians receiving care at the city’s mass vaccination site. It was a bone-chillingly cold yet heart-warming day of service.