ATLANTA — The city of Atlanta is looking for about 10,000 volunteers to help with next year's Super Bowl.
The Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee held a volunteer launch event in downtown Atlanta Wednesday.
Super Bowl LIII will take place Feb. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Walter Banks is one of the city’s oldest volunteers. He told Channel 2’s Audrey Washington that he’s been volunteering at local Atlanta events for more than 30 years, from community functions to the Olympics.
[READ: Atlanta to host Super Bowl in 2019]
Banks has always been that helping hand and friendly face.
“Being in areas you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to go and meeting people you ordinarily wouldn’t be able to meet and see,” Banks said.
Now the Atlanta Super Bowl host committee is looking for more people like Banks.
The 10,000 needed volunteers will be on hand to greet fans as they visit Atlanta for the big game slated to be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium next year.
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“They’ll be in the airport, they’ll be in the hotels, all across the Super Bowl campus,” said Lee Hendrickson, with the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee.
On Wednesday, the official volunteer application website went live, meaning people can apply right now.
“We’ll need to run a background check. Once the online application is submitted, we’ll review all of those to get to know this team and invite them in for a personal interview,” Hendrickson said.
Once selected, volunteers will undergo extensive training, including how to properly greet and direct visitors in and around the city.
[READ: Atlanta Super Bowl LIII Host Committee holds NFL handoff ceremony]
Volunteer Tabitha Barnett told Washington that it’s a lot of hard work.
“We need to be knowledgeable about what we have to offer in our city and we have a lot to offer,” Barnett said.
Officials said any volunteer looking to help out just so they can be inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the game, might want to think again.
“There won’t be volunteer staff needed in the stadium, but in the surrounding area and the week leading up to the Super Bowl there will be some fun opportunities,” Hendrickson said.
Still, Banks said just to volunteer is rewarding in itself.
“It’s pride for the city. Atlanta means a lot,” Bank said.
Click here to apply to be a volunteer.
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