Volunteer at Camp Ondessonk’s Gala Italiano – A Night of Fun and Giving Back!
By Elizabeth Dirnbeck
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to Camp Ondessonk while having a great time? Consider volunteering at the Gala Italiano March 1, 2025! This exciting event offers a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and support a place that has impacted countless lives.
Josie Hooten, a longtime Camp Ondessonk volunteer, shares why the Gala is such a rewarding experience. Josie’s journey with Camp began in 2012 as a camper. Throughout the years, she has returned as a CIT (now OWL program), staff member, and volunteer. From assisting with Trivia Nights to participating in Trick-or-Treat for Camp O, Josie has been an enthusiastic supporter of Camp. For her, volunteering at the Gala has always been a way to connect with friends and give back to a place that means so much to her.
Josie’s first experience volunteering at the Gala was in 2019, where she and her Camp friends signed up together. She explains, “We all lived pretty far from each other so we would frequently volunteer at different Camp events as a way to visit with each other and be able to give back to a place that had brought us all together in the first place.” For Josie, the Gala is always a reunion of sorts, where she reconnects with old Camp friends and makes new ones.
Volunteering at the Gala allows you to experience the excitement behind the scenes. “It never ceases to amaze me all of the attention to detail and organizing that is done by volunteers and paid staff for a Camp Ondessonk fundraising event,” says Josie.
Volunteers assist with everything from registration to auction coordination, and every detail is carefully planned to ensure a smooth, enjoyable evening for all attendees.
One of Josie’s favorite parts of volunteering is seeing the energy in the room. “It is incredibly heartwarming to see so many people in one room who are passionate about the mission of Camp Ondessonk,” Josie explains. The Gala is filled with individuals who have been touched by Camp in meaningful ways, and it’s inspiring to witness their generosity and support.
If you’re unsure about volunteering, Josie has a simple message: “Just go for it! Camp people are some of the most fun and welcoming people I’ve ever met. I’ve gone to events where I didn’t know a whole lot of people, but by the end I made new friends and gotten to help out an awesome organization; a true win-win.”
Click here to learn more about volunteering at Camp Ondessonk.