BEVERLY — Volunteers who arrived at the North Shore GOP Victory Center on Cabot Street Saturday morning found their office pelted with eggs and plastered with Obama bumper stickers.
The vandals' audacity didn't stop 50 volunteers from making about 1,000 phone calls over nine hours during an event called Super Saturday.
"It shows we're at least getting some people's attention," said Brett Schetzsle, 31, a member of the Beverly Republican City Committee.
With less than two weeks before the presidential election, the main goal of the Victory Center, which opened its doors on Sept. 16, is to make as many phone calls as possible to registered Republican and independent voters in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The calls are not intended to influence voters but rather identify supporters and remind them to get out and vote.
About 1,500 to 2,000 calls are made during a normal week, according to Schetzsle.
On Saturday, volunteers worked the phones at different times throughout the day. Their ages ranged from teenagers not old enough to vote to retired folks.
Their office was furnished with lawn chairs and five tables equipped with landline phones. There were also several cell phones available if more volunteers show up.
Some people, mostly women, donate up to 20 hours of their time each week, Schetzsle said.
"Sarah Palin has really energized a lot of women in the Republican Party and many independents, as well," Schetzsle said, "and that's a good thing for the party."
Joanne Hall, 54, of Beverly has been volunteering and making phone calls on behalf of John McCain for the past three weekends. She's worked the phones before to advance Republican candidates, starting in 1990 when William Weld ran for governor. She did the same for Mitt Romney in 2002.
"It all depends on the person running and if I believe in them," she said. "I feel like as an American, I need to put my money and time where my mouth is."
Another purpose for the center is to distribute bumper stickers, buttons and yard signs to John McCain supporters who call asking for them.
The whole operation is funded by the Beverly Republican City Committee and is run completely by volunteers, headed up by Schetzsle. It also offers support for other Republicans running for office including Jeff Beatty, who's challenging Sen. John Kerry, and Richard Baker, who's challenging Congressman John Tierney.
The center will be open as much as possible from now until Election Day. The hours are determined by who can volunteer at certain times.
They will host a large phone marathon during the 72 hours leading up to the election.
"It's no secret that the Republican Party in this state needs a lot of work as far as its grassroots efforts," Schetzsle said. "This is a good starting point. It is good to just get people involved."
The North Shore GOP Victory Center's location on busy Cabot Street also provides supporters a safe haven to stop by and share their political opinions.
"It is nice for Republicans to have a place to talk and share their opinions," Schetzsle said. "That doesn't happen much in Massachusetts."
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