For Cindy Schultz, getting out to volunteer during the holidays is what puts joy into the season.
As it turns out, Schultz, who works in the journalism department and is a member of the University Staff Council, is not alone. This year, several dozen University of Wisconsin Oshkosh University Staff members are volunteering at the annual Celebration of Lights at Menomoinee Park, many for the same reason.
“I love being part of the UWO campus community that gives back to the community of Oshkosh that we live in. It is a great way for my family to start the season of Christmas together,” said Jill Milos, a University Staff member with the Division of Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement who volunteers at the event with her youth group and family. “It gets our family mentally prepared for the “giving” of the Christmas season. The youth love to do this, because they like to give back to the community and it’s fun. We sing Christmas carols and some youth even play their instruments. It’s a great way to start off the month of December by giving back.””
Volunteers at the Celebration of Lights.Schultz, who organizes the group of volunteers for Celebration of Lights, said she’s been volunteering at the community event for a handful of years.
Celebration of Lights is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.; it’s held at Menominee Park along the shore of Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh. The event is an “illuminated holiday wonder” that attracts more than 10,000 filled vehicles annually to the display of nearly 1 million twinkling lights.
Celebration of Lights volunteers also collect nonperishable food items for the local food pantry, which is in part what the UW Oshkosh volunteers help with during their nightly shifts.
“It’s just really a lot of fun,” Schultz said.
She said the team of UW Oshkosh volunteers take money and donations, keep the entrance line moving and spread their fair share of holiday cheer to the carloads of people who attend each evening.
“We all wear our UWO gear to kind of brand it and show off who we are,” Schultz said.
Jess Kleier, a University Staff member who works at the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center, said she’s been volunteering at the event for six years and enjoys it very much.
“I believe that volunteering to help with the community is important. The University and the Oshkosh community all need to work together to make this city the great success that it is,” Kleier said.
Schultz said Celebration of Lights is just one of the events University Staff members volunteer for annually. Throughout the year, the group is involved in a number of other fundraising events, sales and even has many people serving on various volunteer boards throughout the community.
“I think our volunteering efforts have a lot do with the camaraderie as colleagues. Getting together to volunteer or work for a cause allows us all to see each other face to face,” Schultz said.
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