Syracuse N.Y. (NCC News) – Dorcas Rodriguez has been volunteering at presidential elections since George W. Bush’s victory in 2000. But Rodriquez’s role has nothing to do with the election, voter assistance, or even ballot counting.
Rodriguez is a lifetime volunteer for United Women in Faith, an international organization whose mission is to aid women, children, and youth by providing funding for economic development and education programs. Every four years, Rodriguez organizes a bake sale at Erwin First United Methodist Church to support this nonprofit, which coincidentally, is the reason she votes in U.S. elections.
Rodriguez moved to Syracuse from Puerto Rico as a child when her mother was offered a role in the organization and she has been actively participating citizen ever since.
But beyond her contributions to United Women in Faith, Rodriguez’s goal at polling centers is to offer a friendly face and an opportunity to enjoy some treats.
“We already have enough stress, there is already people sweating the bullets on this day I don’t need to add to that. If I can alleviate for a moment just by being helpful and gracious, I’m going to be!”
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Democracy in Action, the 2024 Presidential Election
Skylar Takac: DORCAS RODRIGUEZ HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERING AT POLLING CENTERS SINCE GEORGE W. BUSH WAS ELECTED IN 2000. OR HOW SHE DESCRIBES IT.
Dorcas Rodriguez: “It was way back when, it was way back when.”
Skylar Takac: BUT UNLIKE YOUR TRADITIONAL ELECTION VOLUNTEER, RODRIGUEZ DOESN’T FACILITATE THE VOTING PROCESS AT ALL. INSTEAD SHE SELLS BAKED GOODS TO BENEFIT UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH, AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND YOUTH THROUGH ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. RODRIGUEZ MOVED TO THE U-S FROM PUERTO RICO WHEN HER MOTHER WAS OFFERED A POSITION AT THE NONPROFIT, CONSEQUENTLY GIVING HER THE RIGHT TO VOTE TODAY.
Dorcas Rodriguez: “She was given the opportunity to actually work for the organization and that’s what brought us then to Syracuse when she had to move over here for the job and it was a wonderful opportunity.”
Skylar Takac: THROUGH HER ELECTION BAKE SALES RODRIGUEZ OFFERS MORE THAN JUST DESSERTS…SHE OFFERS COMFORT. GREETING INCOMING VOTERS WITH A SMILE AND AN ARRAY OF TREATS, RODRIGUEZ TRIES HER BEST TO BE HELPFUL, ENSURING THAT PATRONS OF THE POLLING CENTER ARE AT EASE DURING SUCH A STRESS INDUCING ELECTION.
Dorcas Rodriguez: “There is already people sweating the bullets on this day I don’t need to add to that. If I can alleviate for a moment just by being helpful and gracious, I’m going to be!”
Skylar Takac: HERE AT ERWIN FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, VOLUNTEERS DON’T CARE HOW YOU VOTE. JUST THAT YOU COME IN, EXERCISE YOUR CIVIC RIGHT, AND MAYBE PICK UP A COOKIE ON YOUR WAY OUT TO SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE. FOR DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, I’M SKYLAR TAKAC.