HELPING LOCAL CHILDREN START THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH CONFIDENCE
Running Start helps local children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade begin the school year with confidence by providing new clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies.
Through the support of volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community partners, each child is paired with a volunteer for a special evening that begins with a pizza party at the YMCA and continues with a back-to-school shopping trip to Kohl's.
Last year, Running Start helped more than 125 local children prepare for the school year ahead. This year, the YMCA hopes to serve 150 children.
2026 Running Start Dates
- Monday, July 27
- Wednesday, July 29
- Tuesday, August 4
- Thursday, August 6
- Monday, August 10
- Thursday, August 13
VOLUNTEER FOR RUNNING START
Spend one evening making a lasting impact on a child's life.
Running Start volunteers are paired one-on-one with a child and help them shop for back-to-school clothing and supplies. No special experience is required—just a willingness to support a local child and help make the evening memorable.
Watch this video to get a firsthand look at Running Start and the impact it has on both the families it serves and the volunteers that help to make it happen.
What Does a Volunteer Do?
- Arrive at the YMCA at 5:00 PM
- Meet the child you'll be shopping with
- Enjoy a pizza party with participating families
- Ride a school bus with the group to Kohl's
- Help your child select clothing and shoes for school
- Return to the YMCA with the group by approximately 8:30 PM
Volunteers do not transport children and are never responsible for coordinating logistics independently. The entire event takes place as a group, with YMCA staff and volunteers participating together from start to finish.
Volunteers may sign up for one evening or multiple Running Start nights throughout the summer.
Ready to volunteer?
VOLUNTEERING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Follow these simple steps to sign up for one (or more!) of our volunteer dates:
1. Read the Program Overview
Before signing up, please take a few moments to review the Program Overview linked below. It includes everything you need to know—key times, volunteer expectations, and helpful tips to
prepare you for this meaningful experience.
Volunteers must arrive at the YMCA of Greenwich by 5:00 PM on their selected date. Activities begin and end at the YMCA, with transportation to and from Kohl’s in Port Chester, NY provided by Greenwich Public Schools. Volunteers are required to stay for the full event.
2. Submit the Interest Form
Use the link below to let us know which date(s) you’re available to volunteer. You’re welcome to join us for more than one night! After receiving your interest form submission, we
will reach out with detailed instructions on creating an account in Volunteer Matters and which requirements you will need to complete.
3. Complete Volunteer Requirements
To ensure a safe experience for the children participating in this program, volunteers are required to complete a background check and an online abuse prevention training as part of our child
safety policies. Once you submit the interest form, we’ll send you instructions to complete these requirements through our volunteer portal, VolunteerMatters.
Anyone age 18+ who completes the required volunteer screening and training.
Approximately 5:00 PM–8:30 PM on your selected date(s).
Yes! Running Start is a great corporate volunteer opportunity. Employees can volunteer together on the same evening.
No. All participants travel together by school bus from the YMCA to Kohl's and back.
No. The YMCA provides the shopping funds for each child through donations, sponsorships, and community support. Volunteers are not expected to contribute financially unless they choose to make a separate donation.
Absolutely! Volunteers are welcome to participate on one night or multiple Running Start dates.
Running Start is a need-based program for local children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade. Applications are reviewed by YMCA staff and community partners.
Yes. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations that want to help local children start the school year with confidence.
To learn more about sponsorship, visit our Corporate Sponsorship page or contact giving@gwymca.org.
You'll be paired with a child and help them select clothing, shoes, school supplies, and other essentials within their shopping budget. Your role is to support, encourage, and help make the experience fun and memorable.
No experience is required. Volunteers simply need a positive attitude, a willingness to work with children, and completion of the required volunteer screening and training.
Yes. Volunteers receive an orientation at the YMCA before the shopping trip begins, and YMCA staff are available throughout the evening to provide support.
YMCA leadership and youth program staff oversee the entire event, from the pizza party through the shopping trip and return to the YMCA.
Please notify the YMCA at marketing@gwymca.org as soon as possible so another volunteer can be assigned to the child and the shopping night can run smoothly.
FAMILIES INTERESTED IN RUNNING START
Running Start is a need-based program designed to help local children in Kindergarten through 5th grade begin the school year with confidence by providing them with back-to-school clothing, shoes, supplies, and a backpack. Each child is paired with a volunteer for a special night of shopping at Kohl’s, following a fun pizza party at the YMCA of Greenwich.
NOTE: We do not distribute gift cards—children must be able to attend one of the scheduled Running Start dates in order to participate and receive program benefits.
Because this is a need-based initiative with limited capacity, we do not open applications to the general public. However, if you are interested in receiving more information about applying, please complete the interest form below.
DONATE OR SPONSOR RUNNING START
Running Start is made possible through the generosity of donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners who believe every child deserves to start the school year with confidence.
The average cost to support one child through Running Start is approximately $150. Individual donations of any size make a direct impact, while corporate sponsorships help fund shopping budgets, transportation, meals, backpacks, school supplies, and program operations.
Businesses interested in making a larger impact can also combine sponsorship with employee volunteer participation, creating a meaningful team-building experience that directly supports local children and families.
Whether you choose to donate, sponsor, volunteer, or all three, your support helps ensure that every child walks into the classroom feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
