GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games are just a few weeks away, drawing millions of viewers from around the globe. Among those eagerly anticipating the event is Julie Warnke, a West Michigan woman who has the unique opportunity to witness some of the action firsthand.

As her children grew older, Warnke began dedicating more of her time to community service. Over the years, she became involved in various local events, developing a deep appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that goes into organizing such large-scale activities.

This passion for giving back eventually led her to apply for a volunteer position with the Winter Olympics. The process started over a year ago, and now, after months of preparation, she’s on the verge of making her dream a reality.

“I am flying out of Grand Rapids on…two weeks from today,” she said. “I actually end up in Milan on the 1st, February 1st, at 9 a.m.”

Warnke’s interest in volunteering stems from her curiosity about how things operate. She enjoys seeing the inner workings of different events, whether they align with her personal passions or not.

“I don’t usually track how much time I spend volunteering, but this past year, I had to for my job, and what I saw shocked me,” she said. “I know I volunteer a lot, but I didn’t realize how many times I volunteered.”

From picking up trash for an hour to spending six hours greeting people at the LPGA, Warnke finds joy in contributing to her community and learning something new along the way. This experience eventually led her to apply for the Olympics.

“There were 130,000 applications that were submitted,” she said. “There are 18,000 that actually get selected, and I’m almost selected.”

By “almost,” she means she was chosen as a reserve. If someone else backs out before the games, she will have the chance to volunteer.

Despite the uncertainty, Warnke has already arranged her time off and booked her flight to Milan. She plans to arrive early and be ready to help if needed.

“I figure I’ll just show up and with my bright smiling face and say ‘Hey I’m here. If you need me, I’m in town,’” she said.

Even if she doesn’t get to volunteer, Warnke says the experience will still be unforgettable. She has purchased a ticket to the opening ceremony, looking forward to being part of the atmosphere filled with passion and excitement.

She will be in Milan for about 20 days. Although she may not get the chance to volunteer, she mentioned that attending the Winter Olympics is actually one of her husband’s bucket list items. Since he can’t make it this time due to work, the couple is already planning to travel to France for the 2030 games.