Barbara Runion loves the annual Cornhusker State Games. After nine years of volunteering, its somewhat of a family reunion for her.

"Its like a family. Its so fun to volunteer with this group," said Runion, who is the chair of the volunteer communications committee for the 25th annual competitions.

Runion heads up about 95 volunteers in the communication department.

"We're at the events and with medical personnel and we're watching out for injuries, and if they need supplies we can radio back here and get them supplies," said Runion.

Armed with cell phones and two-way radios, her crew works with medical volunteers like Roy Memhken, who has donated his time off and on for 25 years.

"First of all its fun and secondly its a neat way to pay back the community," said Memhken.

Together, the two groups help prevent as well as manage injuries of the 13,000 participants - a job where communication is key.

"There's a lot of stuff that happens behind the scenes so obviously if somebody were to be injured, a lot of people are from out of town so if they need somebody to direct them to where they can get the best care, buy braces, things like that - then we're here," said Danielle Kleber, chair of the volunteer medical committee.

Together nearly 3,000 volunteers will help keep the activities running this year. Dave Mlnarik, Executive Director of the Cornhusker State Games, estimates it to be a record number of helping hands, being they added about 100 more people to help with the additional three sports this year.

Still, Kleber said her crew of 60 medical hands could use more help.

"To really ideally staff all the sites we need 100-120 so we can certainly use more so even though its this weekend, we'll take more for tomorrow if they want," said Kleber.

For those like Runion, it isn't their positions but the people who bring her and others back every year and have kept the games running for the last 25 years.

"Its just something special. Being part of the state games is big thing," said Kleber.

For more information on how you can help as a medical volunteer, just visit www.cornhuskerstategames.com and click on "The 2009 Games" then scroll down to "medical volunteers". You can also call 471-2544.