HUMAN

Name: Sarah Koonce
Age: 44
Residence: Joint Base Elmendorf/Richardson– Alaska
Occupation: Delta as a ticket and gate agent.
Years involved with Iditarod: First One
Iditarod Role: Just a Volunteer
Current Location: AIRLAND TRANSPORT WAREHOUSE – ANCHORAGE
Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 13, 2020
Temperature: 62F / INDOORS

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?:
 I GOT INVOLVED WITH THE IDITAROD THROUGH A FRIEND WHO TOLD ME THEY HAD BEEN VOLUNTEERING FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THERE WERE WITH IDITAROD. SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND TRY AND HELP OUT THIS YEAR.

What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?
I’M HERE TODAY AND INVOLVED WITH, IDITAROD BECAUSE TODAY WE’RE BAGGING UP STRAW AND HAY FOR THE DOGS. IT’S SOMETHING THAT I COULD BE A PART OF; IT’S SOMETHING THAT I COULD DO. AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT FITTED IN WITH MY SCHEDULE AT WORK AS WELL. SO, YOU KNOW, WE’RE ALL HERE DOING IT IN OUR OWN TIME. IT’S GOOD TO KNOW THAT AS THE RACE PROGRESSES, I’VE, YOU KNOW, I CAN SEE THAT I’VE PLAYED A LITTLE PART WITH THE DOGS AND YOU KNOW, USING THE HAY IN THE STRAW AS THEY GO ON THEIR JOURNEY. SO YEAH, THAT’S WHY I’M HERE TODAY.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:
ONE OF MY MOST MEMORABLE IDITAROD EXPERIENCES IS JUST FEELING LIKE I’VE BEEN PART OF THE FAMILY TODAY. EVERYBODY IS FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL. AND WE’RE ALL WORKING AS A TEAM TOGETHER AND IT’S BEEN GOOD FUN. WHEN THE STRAW DROPS INTO THE BAG AND IT KIND OF PUSHES IT ALL UP AND YOU GET A FACE FULL OF STRAW AND YOU JUST, YOU CAN’T HELP BUT GIGGLE. IT’S GOOD FUN.

What do you know for sure?:
WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE IN LIFE IS THAT BEING A KIND PERSON MAKES YOU A GOOD PERSON AND IT MAKES OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY.