Staunton Democrats Volunteer Voices September 2026

Do you ever wonder what the heck the Staunton Democratic Committee is up to? 

Well, I did. 

So - I poked around and found out some of the things our members are doing.  The entire comittee is composed entirely of volunteers - no paid officer or committee positions. I hope to share a snapshot of the past month’s activities with you each month.

First, I met with our amazing Volunteer Coordinator, Liz Barnum. We formed a collaborative effort and she agreed to feed me information. 

During the month of September 2026

• Four of our members marched in the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade.

• On September 12, The College Park Democrats held another neighborhood organizing event. The event was coordinated and managed by a committee of 7 SDC members including Tom and Silvia Gederberg, Christopher Benjamin (SDC Chair), Liz Barnum, Susan Palmer, and 2 others.

• As always, our wonderful volunteers staffed the open hours of the SDC office at 240 N Central Ave #1 and office hours were increased for the run-up to the November 3 election. If you have never visited the office, stop by during open hours, say hello, and see for yourself what’s going on there.

• Our amazing team of weekend canvassers, led by Tom Gederberg (SDC Vice-Chair), combed Staunton tirelessly, braving record heat waves, in search of likely Democrat voters to inform, inspire, and cajole. These are our true heroes. Tom says “Canvassing is the most effective, but most labor intensive, way to get out the vote.  Studies have shown that canvassing can boost turnout by nearly 6%. We have been knocking on doors every Saturday and Sunday since July 11th.” Our canvassers in September were Reese Bull, Keith Dickinson, Tom Gederberg, Stephen Maxwell, Ann Murray, Sheila Smith, Marty Steinberg, and Sean Stuhlsatz.

• Marla McIntyre and Paulson McIntyre used some slogans from Grassroots Connections, an online source, to fabricate these awesome red yard signs. Stop by the SDC office to pick one up while supplies last!

• On September 19, a group of 10 of our volunteers set up, manned, and broke down an SDC information booth at the African American Heritage Festival that took place in Gypsy Hill Park. A few others, including Christopher Benjamin (our Chairman) pitched in with logistics. Some of the participants were Yvonne Surette, Marla McIntyre, and Liz Barnum. Yvonne Surette is our “outreach person” who does the research, gets permissions and permits and does anything necessary to put on an event. Who knew?

Yvonne had this to say about her experience at the AAHF: "My favorite conversation was a gentleman who said he didn't pay much attention to politics, but he knows "who the bad guys are."  He asked how he should vote on the amendments and referendum. I gave him all the info I had and a sample ballot, and it felt great that there was one voter who only wants to vote for the Democrats. I also had folks just say, "Good luck Democrats!"  Aside from the Democrats inside and outside the booth (that's my favorite), I LOVED the music!”

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If you want to share your experience as an SDC volunteer in an activity that you found invigorating, or if you would appreciate a shout-out in future editions of this Newsletter, email Liz Barnum at volunteer@staunton-democrats.care

Don’t worry – if you do not want your name or picture to be published, just let Liz know @ volunteer@staunton-democrats.care. Your privacy will be respected.

Marvo