Donald Oest’s volunteer resume is impressive. Oest has been a member of the YMCA Board of Directors for the past nine years, served as chairman of the annual Building Strong Kids campaign for 2002, was chairman of the Board of Directors for 2003 and was chairman of the Board Development Committee for 2006.

“We have accomplished so much with building expansion,” he said. “There’s more space for seniors and families now. In the years I’ve been with them, we have larger and nicer buildings, and therefore better connections to the community.”

His goal has been to oversee where the YMCA is headed in achieving its mission to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. “The new buildings have been more conducive to this mission,” he said.

Sheridan Wolfe of the YMCA describes Oest as “a committed, tireless and passionate supporter of the YMCA.” Oest works for IBM and “has assisted the YMCA in collaborating with IBM on various activities and initiatives,” Wolfe said.

Oest said the tech company is supportive of volunteerism among its staff, and he has co-chaired an IBM Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign, in which contributions are made annually to sanctioned nonprofit organizations.

Oest also volunteers for the Junior Achievement Program in association with local schools. He started working with this program 27 years ago in New York and often teaches business skills at the Career Development Center.

In addition, Oest works for the Young Explorers Program, which places computers into kindergarten classrooms. He laughed as he recalled an occasion when an experimental unit was placed in a preschool classroom but refused to work properly. He investigated and found that the children had chewed through the mouse wiring. “Usually, it’s mice that do the chewing,” he said.

Oest’s wife also is an “IBMer.” She holds the fort at home while he volunteers several hours a week and is “very supportive, which makes it all possible,” he said. He loves working with and for children, although he has never taught. However, he is interested in becoming a math and science teacher after he retires from IBM.

“I want to leave the world a better place for future generations,” he said.

For information about volunteering with the YMCA of Longmont or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.