“It takes a village!” These words echo in my head as one of the first things I think of when I think of the CTMOM event. It is something that has been said time and time again since my very first day volunteering back in 2010 at the event in Middletown. It is so true! I just didn’t realize the scope of that statement back then as much as I do now.

Since the first day I volunteered as a dental assistant, CTMOM and all it stands for grabbed my heart. I had no idea what I was about to be a part of that first day, but it was an amazing, huge, inspiring, soul-touching, and humbling experience.

Now in my 14th year with CTMOM and living in North Conway, NH, I continue to volunteer for CTMOM co-leading the Sterilization department. I never knew prior to CTMOM just how much volunteering would change my life and fill my heart. I have seen patients who were getting new partials or fillings and crying because of how grateful they were and how much this experience will change their life. It didn’t just change their life, it changed mine too.

I enjoy not only helping others, but also the camaraderie and team work that goes along with it. Through CTMOM, I’ve met some of the most amazing people. I am honored to work alongside them.

It’s hard to believe that CTMOM events see over 1,000 patients and have over 800 volunteers! It is truly awe inspiring to watch the well oiled machine that is CTMOM hum along with hundreds of volunteers doing whatever needs to get done and in a very organized fashion. That is one of the many things that still impresses me that this event is so big and yet it is run so incredibly well and is so organized. It does take a village! And a lot of hard work, dedication, passion, love, and time!

I’ve also met some of the most amazing people through CTMOM and I am honored to work alongside them. It is overwhelming to see the amount of selfless people pouring hours and days into making each event go smoothly and that is both humbling and inspiring. I think everyone feels this incredible energy that is present at every event as evident by many patients even returning to help volunteer, sometimes the very next day! It truly does take a village to make these events happen and every single person at these events is integral to its success. Together, we can make a difference!

—Sue Lackman, RDH