Hundreds of volunteers from across the recreational vehicle industry completed 15 restoration and improvement projects at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds during the 5th Annual All-Industry Volunteer Day on May 20.
The event, held at the fairgrounds in Indiana, marked the first year the initiative was organized under the RV Industry Association (RVIA) Sustainability Committee after transitioning from the Emerging Leaders Coalition.
Volunteers worked in coordinated shifts throughout the day to complete a range of upgrades across the fairgrounds’ recreation and campground facilities.
Projects included the construction of maintenance sheds, bathroom refurbishments, building painting, fence installation and the development of a new dog park.
Organizers highlighted the scale of the effort during the 2026 RV Power Breakfast, where Sustainability Committee Project Leads Michilah Grimes and Mike Gaeddert presented results from the volunteer initiative and reflected on its five-year history.
“Yesterday was just one example of what this mission has become,” Gaeddert told attendees during the presentation. “In five years, this mission has completed 60 projects built by 1,500 volunteers giving 4,500 hours of service.”
The annual volunteer effort has grown into one of the industry’s largest collaborative community service initiatives, drawing participation from manufacturers, suppliers and other businesses connected to the RV sector.
During the breakfast presentation, organizers also recognized individuals and companies that contributed to the initiative’s long-term development and operational support.
Heather Ek, lead purchasing manager at Coachmen RV, received the 2026 Trailblazer of Tomorrow award for her role in securing materials and financial support for the volunteer projects over the past five years.
Patrick Industries was presented with the 2026 Champion Parks and Progress award in recognition of its committee support since 2022.
Grimes closed the presentation by thanking participants and industry partners involved in the volunteer effort.
“The RV Industry doesn’t just build products, it builds up people, partnership, and communities,” Grimes said in a News and Insights report of RVIA on May 25.