For Matt Olshefski, volunteering isn’t something he does, it’s a way of life. From the moment he reached adulthood, he’s been giving back, and his story is a powerful testament to what one dedicated person can accomplish for their community, their country, and those in need.
Matt’s path began in his early days coaching athletes for the Special Olympics and working with adults with disabilities in group homes and day programs throughout the 1990s. His compassion for others was evident from a young age, even as a teenager working at a children’s hospice nursery in Norfolk. That early exposure to caregiving would shape his outlook forever.
In 1990, Matt began what would become a 27-year journey as a volunteer firefighter. Starting with the Winsted Fire Department, he played a pivotal role in launching Explorer Post 911—a youth initiative affiliated with scouting to train future firefighters. That program still runs today, and several of its early participants have risen to high-ranking officer positions, a legacy Matt takes great pride in.
Later, Matt joined the East Farmington Fire Department, where he was named Firefighter of the Year in 2006. That recognition was not only for his consistent dedication but also for his extraordinary efforts following Hurricane Katrina. While recovering from donating a kidney to his brother, Matt mobilized his department and community to collect essential gear and supplies for a Mississippi firehouse devastated by the storm. With insurance falling short, Matt’s initiative brought a full tractor-trailer of turnout gear, rescue tools, training materials, and personal items directly to the firefighters who had lost everything. He found donors, bypassed major organizations, and made sure help arrived straight at the firehouse door.
That experience exemplified Matt’s philosophy: do what’s right and do it directly.
His spirit of service is also deeply rooted in scouting. For over 20 years, Matt has been an adult leader, guiding youth through adventures, leadership development, and community service. Even after his own son aged out, Matt stayed on, now serving as Committee Chair for both a boys’ and a girls’ troop in Farmington. With over 50 scouts and a team of trained adult volunteers, Matt devotes an average of 12 hours a week to troop planning, activities, and mentoring. He’s particularly proud of their annual “Scouting for Food” drive, which collects over 10,000 pounds of donations in a single day for local food pantries.
From replacing veterans’ flags at cemeteries to organizing 9/11 ceremonies and cooking meals for shelters, Matt ensures that service remains at the heart of everything the scouts do. He even supports Eagle Scout projects, helping teens turn their ideas into real change, like the installation of an osprey nest at Winding Trails with help from local partners.
Matt’s reach extends further still. He waters plants every Monday in a community garden—a commitment that began when he stopped to help a woman injured while tending the flowers and promised to keep them alive for her. True to form, Matt kept his word.
Even in his professional life with O&G, Matt brings his volunteer ethos. Whether it’s hosting firehouse tours, participating in career days, or supporting scout projects through donations, he finds ways to blend work and service seamlessly.
For Matt, it’s simple: “I don’t think I could ever pay back all that I’ve received from the organizations I’ve been part of—so I just keep giving.” And he has no plans to stop.
