Volunteers Help OSH Run Smoothly

October 2016 - Judy Knight has been volunteering at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for 22 years. She started out in the hospitality tent and briefly worked with Protect Our Planes, a group of volunteers who ensured the aircraft that flew into Oshkosh were safe throughout the week. Now she serves as chairman of the Volunteer Center, sending the thousands of AirVenture volunteers to wherever they’re needed around the grounds.

Judy said she first started coming to AirVenture with her husband and found herself with little to do but “twiddle her thumbs” while he spoke to “every single vendor there is.”

“I decided I needed to do something with my time and let him have his time,” she said. “I’ve had a great experience with the people here.”

Judy said the people and the fascinating stories they tell are what keep her coming back to AirVenture each year.

“Here at Oshkosh, you see the same people over and over again and they become like your family,” she said. “You look forward to seeing them and, if they don’t show up, you really worry about them. I mean, the Christmas card list gets longer and longer every year because you want to stay in touch with the people you meet here. All the people that we’ve met are very interested in making this a better show and helping things run smoother. It’s just fun meeting the people and learning about their experiences.”