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Volunteer

Help fuel Empire State Ride

If you want to be a part of Empire State Ride without the 500+ mile commitment, join the adventure as a volunteer!

Volunteers are key to the success of Empire State Ride

Each day, we welcome support not only from nearby communities but also from weeklong volunteers who travel from across the region and beyond to be part of the journey.

Sign up!
An older woman in a blue shirt cheers with raised arms, smiling excitedly as cyclists ride past her on a park path. Trees and tall buildings are visible in the background.
A smiling person wearing sunglasses and a "Empire State Ride to End Cancer" shirt makes sandwiches at an outdoor table with bread, bananas, jelly, and peanut butter jars, with trees and a pink fence in the background.

Volunteer opportunities

Learn more about being an ESR volunteer
Learn more
about being an
ESR volunteer

All volunteer positions have been filled!

Weeklong Volunteer

A group of nine smiling people pose in and around an open U-Haul truck filled with equipment. One person inside the truck blows bubbles, while others stand or sit in front, all wearing casual clothes and sunglasses.

Weeklong volunteers are handpicked by our dedicated staff, and space is limited to ensure a meaningful and impactful experience. They commit to the full seven days of Empire State Ride, dedicating around eight hours each day to a variety of tasks and activities. Some days may run a little longer depending on the needs of the event, but staff work closely with volunteers to make sure the workload is shared and manageable.

Beyond daily responsibilities, weeklong volunteers are also encouraged to take part in nightly programs and other unique experiences that make Empire State Ride special.

This commitment ensures that volunteers are not only supporting the mission but also fully immersed in the community and camaraderie of the week.

Sign up here
Sign up here

Here's what you can expect:

Hospitality – our “HUB” is the central gathering spot where riders can refill water bottles, grab snacks and supplies, enjoy refreshments and get their questions answered.

Rest Stops – Help with set-up and clean-up, prepare and serve food (including the signature PB&J sandwiches) and keep riders fueled throughout the day.

Camp – Assist with setting up and breaking down camp to ensure riders have a comfortable place to rest and recharge.

Runners — provide essential support by assisting with day-to-day needs throughout the event. Their tasks may include shopping for supplies, delivering items to rest stops, making quick trips for last-minute needs and checking in daily with staff to ensure operations run smoothly.

Weeklong volunteers get the full Empire State Ride experience! Those who choose to stay at camp overnight will be provided with tent accommodations alongside the riders — a great way to soak in the community spirit. Prefer more comfort? Volunteers are welcome to book local hotels at their own expense.

All volunteers are responsible for their own transportation, but once you’re with us, we’ve got you covered with daily lunch and dinner provided. It’s the perfect balance of giving back, fueling up and being part of something unforgettable.

Rest Stop Volunteer

An older woman, a dedicated volunteer with long gray hair, wearing glasses and a blue cycling shirt, stands near a picnic table laden with snacks. Cyclists gather around under an open shelter, their bicycles arrayed in the background.

Can’t commit to all seven days? You can still make a huge impact by joining us as a Rest Stop volunteer for a day (or more!). Rest stops are located every 20 miles along the Empire State Ride route, and volunteers help keep riders fueled, energized and motivated.

Responsibilities include:

Set-up and clean-up of rest stop areas

Serving as welcome ambassadors and cheerleaders

Distributing food and beverages to riders

Sign up here
Sign up here

Community Rally Volunteer

A group of volunteers wearing yellow shirts with "Melissa" on them poses around a memorial sign reading "Live like Melissa, Laugh with Melissa, Love Melissa" at an outdoor shelter. They appear to be at a community event or gathering.

Live in New York State? Give our cyclists a warm welcome as they ride throughout your town. Create signs, ring cowbells and shake pom-poms. If you are interested in organizing a small group of cheerleaders to cheer on riders as they pass by, please email our volunteer coordinator at volunteers@roswellpark.org. We can help you identify a time and location on the route for your group to gather.

You can also get involved as a local vendor or musical group! Bring the event to life with your tunes and talents or serve up your delectable treats to fuel the riders and spectators.

Email us to sign up
Email us to sign up

Camp Volunteer

A group of people gathers at a "Comfy Campers Tent Check-In" table under a canopy at an outdoor event. A large sign marks the check-in, and staff are assisting participants. Trees and grass are in the background.

Empire State Ride campsites are in seven communities across New York State: Staten Island, Somers, Rhinebeck, Albany, Utica, Weedsport and Spencerport.

Volunteers will assist with base camp management, welcome riders to the campsite, help them recover and get them road-ready for the next day’s ride. As a campsite volunteer, you may also be asked to help with some of the following:

Guest services

Food and beverage service

Set up camp and event facilities

Email us to sign up
Email us to sign up

Finish Line Volunteer

A person wearing a bright yellow shirt and a pink costume that looks like a flamingo rides an inflatable flamingo while holding a blue heart-shaped balloon. Bubbles float in the air at an outdoor event.

Support the Empire State Ride road warriors as they complete their seven-day journey in Niagara Falls, NY. Be a part of this unforgettable moment. Duties include finish line set up, cheering on riders and assisting bag check.

Sign up here
Sign up here