Save a Baby! - the recap

Our mission was simple.

1) Form a horseshoe around the stadium after Family Force 5 gets done performing.
2) Hand out as many Rock the Cradle booklets as possible as some guy from MercyMe talks about how important it is to help children not die
3) Return to the merch area with leftover booklets once David Crowder takes the stage.

Any questions?

Um, yes, actually. I raised my hand, "Can I get a sticker?"

Classic case of word vomit. As soon as the rep from Compassion gave me the look, I knew then was not the time or place to gripe about how I didn't have a Volunteer sticker WHEN CHILDREN NEEDED OUR HELP. But Brad had one! And all the other volunteers!

They were all out. Everyone looked at me weirdly. So, we left and headed into the arena.

****
Brad and I chose seats facing the stage, and quickly got to strategizing. We needed to NOT miss David Crowder. And the only way to do that was to make sure to get rid of all of our booklets. Every single one.

We came up with clever slogans that, when uttered, would make the people within earshot ridden with guilt and compelled to also take a pamphlet in order to prove that they too cared and wanted to see children make it to their 5th birthdays. This would result in 2, 3 or 4 booklets being given out at once!

Slogans consisted of:

Save a baby!
You have the power to make a difference!
Their lives are in your hands!

and my personal favorite

This one may not have much longer, sir.


After suffering through a few acts and enjoying others, the time came. Family Force was done. Some dude from MercyMe took the stage. And we jumped into action (well, actually we more like slid into action. Hesitantly. Because unlike the instructions, there was never a horseshoe. But nevertheless...)

I went up and down the aisles, up into the rafters, holding my booklets up and trying to give the sweetest smile I could. The person on stage stopped talking, but I kept going. I had about four more to go and I was not going to stop. One last-ditch visit to an upper deck section in the center, and I did it! I didn't even need the slogans!

I quickly got back to our seats. Brad had half of his booklets in his hand.

He had gotten stuck on the floor, where interest was low (it was full of teenagers) and the ratio of volunteers to people was not in his favor.

David Crowder began. We considered not stopping. Splitting up and getting rid of the rest. But then the lights went all crazy and we were forced to return to the Compassion booth with our leftovers. We only missed one of DCB's songs, so it wasn't too bad.

Then, after hearing one of MercyMe's songs, we left.

Personally, I think it was my zebra purse that got people to take my booklets. I mean, how can you look at a zebra purse and NOT think about Africa? And how can you think about Africa and NOT think about starving children?

I'm all about the subliminal messaging.

If you'd like information on Compassion International's Rock the Cradle campaign, visit them at rescuebabiesnow.org.