A volunteer is someone who gives time and energy to help others without expecting payment; volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. Ice Alaska is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. They provide the talent and energy to put on the largest sculpting competition in the world, traveling here to Fairbanks from other states as well as other countries.. Volunteers manage everything about the event, from the ice harvest, communication, registration and feeding the visiting artists, to the financing, marketing and publicity for the event.

Question: how do these volunteers “bring order to chaos”- how to straighten out a complicated “mess”?
There are three incredible people you need to meet who help organize Ice Alaska into the successful volunteer organization it is.

James Stugart: James is a carver from Seattle. He has been carving since he was thirteen years old, even convincing his family to carve. He became involved in the inner workings of Ice Alaska and wrote a survey for the website. He listened as many of the volunteers complained that there was no organization for those who wanted to help. James then wrote a volunteer application form that can be filled out on the Ice Alaska website. When and where can you join and how and where do you want to volunteer? Following is part of the form he created. James follows up on all applications, bringing “order to chaos.” James himself says, “We are setting the volunteers up for success”.
V **These are scheduled positions from Feb 14 to March 31st. I can assist in the following areas….
Ticket Booth (indoors)
Gift Shop (indoors)
Security & Concierge (outdoors)
Transportation & Courier Driver
These are task-oriented positions with no set schedule from the beginning of January – end of March.
I can assist in the following areas….
General Laborer
Lighting Assistance
Electrical Assistance
Sculptor Support
Transportation & Courier Driver
First Aid Certificate
Youth Activities

Other: These are sporadic jobs that stretch beyond the January-March event schedule.
I can assist in the following areas….
Ice Harvest (starts approx December)
General Laborer
Snow Plow
Heavy Equipment Operator
Social Media (year round)
Sponsorship & Grant Writing (year round)
Website & Web Cam Assistance (year round)
Newsletter/Blog
Membership
Other:
These are media based positions centered around the competition (Feb 14-Mar 2) event schedule.
I can assist in the following areas….
Photographer
Videoagrapher/Video Aide
Social Media
Other:
Do you have a First Aid Certificate ?
Do you have a CDL? (Commercial Drivers License)
Do you require accommodation?

Holly Stack: Holly, a vivacious lady from Fairbanks, has been a volunteer for Ice Alaska for three years and is the Ticket Booth Coordinator. She says of the ticket booth, “If someone is not in there, I am needed to be available.” You will always find her either there or in the main office. There are always two people in the ticket booth so there is little wait time-thanks to Holly. Again, to quote Holly, “Volunteers at the ticket booth are the face of the park, the meters and greeters.” Thank you, Holly.

Sue McGrew: Sue is the Volunteer Coordinator and John’s assistant. A sand carver from Seattle, she first came to Ice Alaska in 2021 to carve a snow sculpture, the Ice Alaska logo, with Steve Cox. The next year she and Dave Smith oversaw Boot Camp. Her main job now is to make sure that all volunteer positions are filled. One of her greatest skills is that she knows where people are the happiest.
Sue travels the world as a carver. The day before MultiBlock began, she was in Tasmania carving for MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art.

Ice Alaska’s success is reliant on all Volunteers. A special shout out to our leadership team who have created a volunteer program that works: training, support, and finding where you will be the happiest. Thank you.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”