Holiday Volunteer Opportunities

The holidays are a terrific time of year to share your many talents while helping others. The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has listed a number of great ways to get involved. Here are a few to consider:

Bring joy to all this season by volunteering to ring the holiday Salvation Army bells outside of many Cedar Valley shopping locations while raising money to support those in need. Opportunities exist Monday through Saturday, November 22 – December 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Volunteers will help with the free-will donation collection and counting the funds at the end of the concert at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls on December 1 from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. This opportunity benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Volunteers are needed to help build food boxes for the holiday season at the Salvation Army on December 1 from 5:00 until 6:30 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

Volunteers are needed to prepare the Salvation Army Holiday Toy Shop by unloading, sorting, and stocking shelves on December 2 through December 8 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

The Grout Museum District needs volunteers to assist staff with activities in regard to the printing press and an industry assembly line on December 3 and 17 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

The Cedar Valley Jaycees are looking for volunteers who would like to help with their annual Gift of Giving event on Saturday, December 6 from 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. Volunteers age 18 and over will help children shop for family members.

The Salvation Army has teamed up with Waterloo and Cedar Falls Wal-Mart for a fill the truck event. The event will take place December 6 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Volunteers will hand out wish lists to Wal-Mart customers as they enter the store asking to help us “Fill the Truck with Toys and Coats for Local Kids.” Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

The Grout Museum needs volunteers to assist with Wild Kratts Kids Club at the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium December 6 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. with children Kindergarten - 2nd Grade. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

Volunteers will assist the Salvation Army staff in distributing holiday food boxes to individuals and families in need for the holiday season during various shifts throughout the day on December 8 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

The Grout Museum needs volunteers with activities for children ages 3rd - 5th grade spend the morning exploring the concepts behind one of the world's most popular game, Minecraft! They will explore all aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) on December 13 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Assist clients as they pick up items from the Salvation Army Toy Shop by acting as a co-shopper, stocking shelves, and hauling out items during shifts available throughout the day on December 9 and 10 from 9:00 a.m. - noon, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is looking for volunteers who will gift wrap to help the Food Bank collect free-will donations during the holidays at College Square Mall and Crossroads Mall from December 15 – 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Volunteers age 12 and over are welcome.

On December 19, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley is having its annual “Fun with Frosty” event from 4:00 until 6:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed for set up and tear down and will be stationed at different areas throughout the Club. This event is a great way to interact with children in the community and making a positive difference in their lives! Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

Waterloo Community Schools needs numerous volunteers to help at the Battle of Waterloo Wrestling Tournament by selling merchandise, providing hospitality, running errands, controlling various entrance points, and assisting with bracket postings on December 19 through 20, from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. at Young Arena. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

Help serve cookies and coffee the NewAldaya Lifescapes Resident Holiday Party on December 23 from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

Lowell Elementary School needs individuals to adopt a family for the holidays using provided wish lists. Gifts need to be wrapped and delivered to Lowell by December 23. Volunteers age 14 and over are welcome.

Christmas Eve Dinner help is needed at NewAldaya Lifescapes to serve from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and receive a FREE Christmas Eve Dinner! Great opportunity for families and youth to help out too!

Looking to celebrate the New Year? Have a hard time staying up late? Celebrate with us at NewAldaya Lifescapes on December 31 from 1:30 until 3 p.m. in the afternoon! Help us serve drinks, assist residents in the food line, and make new friends too! Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome. 

Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley via email or 319-272-2087 to get involved!