A CHARITY. A CAUSE. A COMMUNITY.

Volunteers make our mission possible. With more than 1,000 volunteers giving their time each year, the Y is proof that when people come together, communities get stronger. Volunteering here isn’t just about helping others—it’s about building connections, learning new skills, and finding your place in something bigger.

From mentoring kids and coaching sports, to supporting special events, or even helping in our gardens, there are countless ways to get involved at the Y. Every role—big or small—strengthens Oshkosh and shows what a charity can do.

Browse volunteer opportunities below and get in touch our staff to start making an impact.

Get Involved: Annual Events

Each year, these community events raise vital funds so families, kids & individuals can afford membership and programs. When you volunteer at a Y event, you help us ensure that everyone has a chance to play, grow, and belong- regardless of income.

Coming Up:

Festival Foods Turkey Trot | November

Make the Annual Festival Foods Turkey Trot your new Thanksgiving tradition! Every year, Festival foods generously supports the Y's FOR ALL Financial Assistance program with proceeds from this holiday run/walk event. Volunteer to hand out t-shirts, cheer on runners, help with registration, or select one of the many other volunteer roles available. All volunteers receive a free Festival Foods Turkey Trot shirt! For questions, contact Lindsey McMullin at (920) 236-3380, or lindseymcmullin@oshkoshymca.org. 

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Summertime Events:

(Volunteer sign ups for these events will open as the date gets closer.)

Kids Mud Run | June

The kids mud run is one of our biggest events of the year and brings in hundreds of families and kids for a day of muddy fun. As a volunteer, you'll help kiddos navigate through muddy obstacles, cheer them on at the finish line, or help with set up/take down of the course. Contact Brandy Hankey at (920) 236-3380 or brandyhankey@oshkoshymca.org. 

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Oshkosh Century Bike Ride | June

The century ride is one of our biggest events of the year and has so many fun ways to volunteer! From setting up the course, to passing out water to thirsty riders, to doing mechanical repairs on bikes, to serving food at the post-race party, there is something for everyone! For questions, contact Angie Flanigan at (920) 230-8439 or angieflanigan@oshkoshymca.org.

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Charity Golf Outing | July

Volunteer with us and spend a beautiful day on the green- it's FORE the kids! Volunteers will run games at various holes for the golfers, hand out raffle prizes, or help with set up/clean up. For questions, contact Angie Flanigan at (920) 230-8439 or angieflanigan@oshkoshymca.org.

Sign Up

EAA AirVenture | July

Assist with selling drinks to thirsty aviation enthusiasts at the YMCA beverage cart. Roles include cashiering, stocking, and handing out drinks. Volunteers get all-day access to the EAA grounds the day of your shift, so you can take in the amazing aircrafts for free! Contact Errah Wheel at (920) 236-3380 or errahwheel@oshkoshymca.org. 

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Brat Stands | Opportunities Throughout the Summer

Help serve up some delicious brats for a cause at the Festival Foods Brat Barn! Volunteer positions include cooking, cashiering, passing out food, and set-up/take-down duties. Contact Errah Wheel at (920) 236-3380 or errahwheel@oshkoshymca.org. 

Sign Up

More Ways to Volunteer

Cornermen for Rock Steady Boxing

Make a difference for people with Parkinson’s disease as a volunteer in our Rock Steady boxing program. You’ll assist with various exercises, adjusting equipment, physically steadying/catching the boxer during exercises, and observing and motivating your partner. Coaches from the program will train you how to best support participants. Prior boxing experience or knowledge is helpful, but not required. In order to give our boxers the support they need, we're looking for volunteers who can commit to a regular schedule.

Mondays from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (Downtown)

Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (20th Ave)

Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (20th Ave)

Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (Downtown)

For questions or to get started, please contact Emily Eresh at emilyeresh@oshkoshymca.org or (920) 236-3380.
 

Youth Sports Coaches

A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life. Youth sports coaches are positive role models and leaders who teach kids the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through youth sports. We are looking for volunteer coaches for football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and more. For more information, please contact Byron Sabel at byronsabel@oshkoshymca.org (920) 230-8439 

Middle School Mentoring Program

Do you want to make a difference in a child's life? In collaboration with the Oshkosh Y, The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh offers a middle school mentoring program, "Great Futures Start Here." The program matches youth in 5th-8th grade with an adult mentor who can serve as a positive role model in their life. Mentors will help kids with homework, talk about career development, read together, do art projects, learn to cook, play games, and more. Volunteer mentors should contact the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh at (920) 233-1414 for an application, as well as undergo a background and reference check, and will meet individually with the Great Futures mentoring coordinator for an interview. 

Grandparent's Garden

Help support the Downtown Y Childcare garden by maintaining the raised beds. Volunteer duties range from planting, to weeding, to winterizing the beds, or even teaching our childcare kiddos about the flowers and plants in the garden. For more information, contact Errah Wheel at (920) 236-3380 or errahwheel@oshkoshymca.org. 

Hydroponic Garden

In partnership with Fork Farms, the Y is home to 5 indoor hydroponic gardens. The gardens help us offer healthy, fresh produce to members of our Y and provides hands-on learning opportunities for our childcare kids. We're looking for a volunteer with a green thumb to help with a portion of the maintenance, planting, and harvesting. To help at the 20th Ave Y, contact Taylor Douglas at taylordouglas@oshkoshymca.org. To help at the Downtown Y, contact Lindsey McMullin at lindseymcmullin@oshkoshymca.org.

Swim Meets

Be part of the excitement at our OSHY Dolphin swim meets! Volunteers keep things running smoothly by helping with setup, timing swimmers, and running the concession stand. Shifts are usually 4 hours long and are at the 20th Ave Y. For more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Kate Salzseider, at (920) 379-8376, or katesalz13@gmail.com. 

Facilities Maintenance

If you're a handy person and looking for a new project, consider lending your skills to help keep our Ys looking beautiful and running great! Volunteer to help with general maintenance jobs and assist our facilities team with painting, cleaning, grounds work, etc. For more information, please contact Paul Donahue at 920-236-3380 or pauldonahue@oshkosymca.org

Youth Fishing | Ongoing during summer

If you're an avid fisherman and want to teach kids the art of fishing, we'd love to have you as a volunteer in our annual Youth Fishing program. This program provides local youth with hands-on educational lessons and experiences that will improve their skillset as an angler. Volunteers must be comfortable with baiting hooks and taking fish off of hooks. For questions or to get started, contact Taylor Douglas at taylordouglas@oshkoshymca.org.

Note: all volunteers will be asked to complete a background consent form and complete a short, online child abuse prevention training prior to volunteering.