Luke Spagnola and Jon Meyer have been volunteering at the annual Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, a production of Five Rivers MetroParks, for over a decade. In the early 2010s, they were looking for a short-term, weekday volunteer opportunity to take advantage of paid volunteer time offered by their employers. Helping to set up MetroParks' outdoor adventure festival fit the bill perfectly, and they've made a tradition of volunteering every year since. Meyer and Spagnola recall meeting early on in their volunteer journey, and their friendship grew as they volunteered together each year. "We were part of the same volunteer group, and we have interests in common," shared Meyer. "Our friendship naturally developed from there. Now we always plan to sign up for the same shifts so we can volunteer together." "Volunteering really does have a way of pulling people together," said Jenny Hymans, Human Resources Manager and lead of MetroParks' Volunteer Services team. "The friendship that grow out of working side by side toward a shared purpose are especially strong and long-lasting." Both Spagnola and Meyer enjoy the change of pace volunteering brings to their daily routines. "It's nice to get away from my desk for a bit and go outside," said Spagnola. "Plus, you get to see the fruits of your work when you're done." The work of special event volunteers like them is vital to the success of the largest MetroParks event of the year. In 2025, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience spanned two days, over a dozen "try-it" activities, 20 workshops and clinics, 50 exhibitors, competitions, live music, food and more, attracting over 15,000 attendees. Volunteers served more than 1,000 hours at the event in 2025, a value of $31,489. This support greatly extends MetroParks' resources and allows staff to move quickly and efficiently, giving them more flexibility to focus on last-minute details and overall event flow. "The commitment that Luke and Jonathan give to the event is outstanding," said Brent Anslinger, Outdoor Recreation Manager. "Their flexibility and 'can do' attitude are exactly what is needed and we couldn't do it without them." Meyer and Spagnola enjoy attending the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience after helping to set up. "I've brought my wife and son to the event for the last five years," said Meyer. "My son gets to try more new things each year!" Both also visit MetroParks throughout the year, from playing on a broomball team at RiverScape MetroPark's Ice Rink to going surfing together in the Great Miami River. "MetroParks is a fantastic resource for the region," Meyer said. "I get a lot out of it, and I want to give back to the organization," Spagnola agreed, sharing that "Volunteering for MetroParks is really rewarding. I know I'm helping a good cause." In 2025, 1,976 volunteers served 30,246 hours in MetroParks for a value to the agency of more than $943,000. Join us at this year's Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! Volunteer opportunities for the event are posting this month, and many hands will be needed to make this year's event a success. Sign up with a friend or make one while volunteering! View available volunteer opportunities for the event here. Are you a volunteer with us who regularly volunteers with a friend, either one you brought to volunteering with you or a friend you made while volunteering? Send us a photo of you and your volunteer friend(s) serving together to volunteer.services@metroparks.org, or post it and tag Five Rivers MetroParks on social media.
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