Rhyme and Reason
Robert Barncord, Volunteer Extraordinaire
If you’ve ever stopped by the information booth on a Saturday morning at our PSU Market, chances are you’ve seen this man. Robert Barncord is an essential member of the PFM team. For years he has been a superstar volunteer for our organization, donating countless hours of his time at the market and our office. Whether counting tokens or directing shoppers to the nearest bunch of kale, Robert embraces each task with enthusiasm and delivers it with a smile. He simply loves being of service and it shows.
We’re not quite sure how we are so lucky to have Robert as part of the PFM family, we are just grateful that he is. Be sure to say hello the next time you see him at the market in his red apron and “Don’t yell at me, I’m just a volunteer” button. A huge and hearty thank you to Robert and all of our amazing, dedicated volunteers that show up rain or shine each week to help make the market magic happen. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you!
In the holiday spirit of giving, Robert recently shared this poem he wrote with us and has given us permission to share it with you.
Says Robert: This limerick came bursting out of my brain, full-blown, lacking rhyme for every line. But it is, nonetheless, heartfelt.
By Robert Barncord
Put up the tents, displays in the stalls,
it’s all outdoors, without any walls;
sunshine, rain, wind and fogs,
children, yes, but not the dogs;
dance when you move, sing when you speak,
this is the high point, this is the peak.
Jaret he generals the army of farmers,
buskers and askers and gawkers and taskers,
takers and bakers and hawkers and such;
the crew and you and me and we all
come to the market because it’s a ball.
And when the day’s done and the area’s tidy,
we think on our work and the memory’s fun
’cause thousands of people were here, as one.
Volunteers are essential to every aspect of our mission. As a nonprofit organization, PFM relies on volunteers for a variety of tasks ranging from chopping carrots to counting customers. If you are interested in volunteering with Portland Farmers Market for the 2012 season, please click here for more information.
