We Need Your Help!
There are a number of ways in which you can help us with the Stories to Save Lives event. Please browse through the opportunities below and if you are interested, let us know on ECAN.org today!
Help Out at the Event
We need volunteers to direct people to parking, check in participants, point people to the event, guide participants to the various training and staging stations, man merchandise and information booths, and more. Here are the positions we are still looking to fill:
- VIP Reception General Assistance – Friday, May 1, 5pm-11pm – set up, tear down, miscellaneous during the event.
- Rappel Event General Assistance First Shift – Saturday, May 2, 7am-12pm – set up, general help during the event as needed.
- Rappel Event Rappeller Services First Shift – Saturday, May 2, 8am-12pm – escort rappellers from the various stations through the event, tell stories of our heroes along the way, other duties as needed.
- Rappel Event General Assistance Second Shift – Saturday, May 2, 11am-5pm – general help during the event as needed, tear down/clean up.
- Rappel Event Rappeller Services Second Shift – Saturday, May 2, 11:30am-4pm – escort rappellers from the various stations through the event, tell stories of our heroes along the way, other duties as needed.
If you would like to help, please send an email with your name, phone number, the times you are available, and the position you are interested in to Event Co-Chair Rick Garman at rick.garman@yahoo.com!
Be a Ropes Volunteer
Do you have climbing experience? We need people who are willing to help our participants do the rappel both on the ground and on the roof. Sign up on the Over the Edge website!
Volunteer Resources
Here’s all the information you need to prepare to volunteer at our event.
Preparing for Your Volunteer Shift
You will be assigned a specific call time and instructions on where to meet our volunteer coordinators Melissa or Brenna. Each volunteer will need to sign a liability release waiver and then you will be instructed on where to go and what to do and provided with all of the appropriate material or supplies you need to do your assignment.
You may be standing and could be outside for much of your shift, so wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. You will receive a Stories to Save Lives t-shirt to wear but it can be put on over your other clothing if you’d like. Depending on your assignment, you may need to wear a safety helmet.
Please note that some of the assignments will involve walking up and down stairs and out onto the roof, so if you have any mobility issues or a fear of heights, be sure to let us know ahead of time so we can put you in an appropriate volunteer position.
We will not have a secure area available to store valuables, so please leave purses, bags, or anything else that you can’t keep in your pockets in your car or with a friend.
Your friends and family are more than welcome to come and enjoy the festivities. We will have a Landing Zone experience poolside at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City with entertainment, food, and activities and it’ll have a great view of everyone coming down the side of the building. Only registered rappellers are allowed in the staging areas and on the roof.
Getting to the Hotel
The event is being held at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City located at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive opposite the main entrance to the Universal Studios Theme Park and City Walk.
Important note: There is a lot of construction happening on Universal Hollywood Drive so read the following instructions carefully.
If you are coming from Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Downtown Los Angeles, take the 101 freeway north, exit Lankershim, turn right at the bottom of the ramp, and then take your first right onto Universal Hollywood Drive. Go up the hill until you see the entrance for the Hilton on your right, just before the light at Hotel Drive. If you get to the stoplight at Hotel Drive, you have gone too far.
If you are coming from North Hollywood, Burbank, or points east, take the 134 freeway west, exit Cahuenga, turn right at the bottom of the ramp and follow Cahuenga until you reach Lankershim Blvd. Turn left onto Lankershim Blvd and go a few blocks to Universal Hollywood Drive. Turn left and go up the hill until you see the entrance for the Hilton on your right, just before the light at Hotel Drive. If you get to the stoplight at Hotel Drive, you have gone too far.
If you are coming from the west valley or the west side of Los Angeles, get to the 101 freeway and take it east/south and exit at Lankershim Blvd. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp onto Cahuenga Blvd. West. Go one block to Lankershim and turn right. Go under the freeway and you’ll see Universal Hollywood Drive. Turn right and go up the hill until you see the entrance for the Hilton on your right, just before the light at Hotel Drive. If you get to the stoplight at Hotel Drive, you have gone too far.
Parking
- Self-parking is available for $12 with validation
- Valet parking is available for $20 with validation
The map below shows the where the entrance to the self parking and valet parking are located.
Check In
You will be instructed where to go to check in with our volunteer coordinators when you receive your welcome email. It will either be:
- Event Check In Table – The check in table will be located outside by the valet parking just to the right of the front doors of the hotel. If you are using self-parking, take the elevators to the main level, turn left and go to the lobby, turn right and go out the front doors, and the table will be on your left. If you are using valet parking you will see it to the left of the front doors as you arrive.
- Mandarin A/B Conference Room – If you are using self-parking, take the elevators to the main level, turn left and go through the lobby past the front desk to the guest elevators. Take those to the fourth floor and look for signs guiding you to the conference room. If you are using valet parking, enter the hotel and turn right, then go through the lobby and follow the instructions above.
- Poolside – If you are using self-parking, take the elevators to the main level, turn left and go to the lobby, turn right and go out the front doors. Turn left and you’ll see a set of stairs that will lead you down to the pool area. If you are using valet parking, take the stairs located just to the right of the main entrance.
Light refreshments and bottled water will be available to all volunteers.
Before or After Your Shift
You are welcome to come before or stay after your shift and explore the Landing Zone Experience where we’ll have a rock climbing wall, food, entertainment, raffles, and more!