Despite the Denver summer heat and non-stop pace of the Democratic National Convention, volunteer Steven Phillips, 53, of Westminster, Colorado, is "just happy to be here," he said Wednesday afternoon as he directed traffic into the Pepsi Center.

"I got to see Jimmy Carter and Hillary Clinton!" he said, waving his hand towards a delegate's car.

"I feel really happy that I even got a perimeter pass," added Kenzie Brown, 19, of St. Paul, Minnesota. "This is history, and I got to be a part of it." Brown, too, was excited to see the Clintons and Jimmy Carter walk into the Pepsi Center.

Two of nearly 25,000 volunteers, Phillips and Brown have been responsible for transportation duties, as well as greeting convention-goers and V.I.P. persons alike. Other volunteer duties include security or "Access Control" and ensuring convention-goers have the best possible experience. Depending on the duty assigned, all individuals, including volunteers entering the Pepsi Center vicinity are required to have
a credential, which grants access to the "Perimeter," "Arena," "Hall,"
"Floor," or "Podium."

"Overall, my experience has been extremely satisfying," said Vel Pfeifer, 70*, of Arvada, Colorado. However, with just a perimeter pass, Pfeifer also shared a bit of disappointment of not being able to go inside the convention site.

"At least they could have given us a tour," she said. A self-proclaimed Hillary supporter, Pfeifer felt her work as a delegate could have at least brought her closer to the action.

"I'm just happy I got to volunteer, though!" said Pfeifer. "Overall, it has been great."

Rumors have apparently been circulating of similar disappointed volunteers working throughout Pepsi Center.

"I mean, some people do have access to inside the hall. That's where the excitement is," said Susan Tachau, 54, of Denver. "I'm just happy that I had a chance to be a part of this. And I look forward to Obama's speech."

Tachau's volunteer work mainly involved manning the front entrance, as well as meeting and greeting people into the Pepsi Center.

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard some complaints," said Daniel Aeinberger, 19, of Colorado Springs. "But, I can't complain. I didn't sign up to get inside. I wasn't expecting it." Instead, Aeinberger is making the most of his volunteer assignment as a driver for the disabled and elderly.

"It's been worth it," he said with a boyish grin.

"Really? I haven't heard any complaints," said Scottie Annable, 70, of Centennial, Colorado. For her, the excitement is all in being so close to the action. "I'm just enjoying myself, especially seeing other volunteers and community members who feel the same. It's been really entertaining."

*Not exact age.