HandsOn Sacramento is proud to present a calendar filled with holiday volunteer opportunities. It’s the final stretch of 2017 and this holiday season, we want you to spread the holiday cheer by participating in donation drives and volunteer opportunities benefitting those who are in need to feel the holiday spirit.
Featured Opportunities
Annual Holiday Giving Program
The holidays are just around the corner. Let HandsOn Sacramento help connect you to holiday volunteer opportunities and donation drives at local non-profits that help those in need over the coming months.
Also, If you are an organization in need of volunteers or donations (toys, meals, canned food, coats, blankets, etc.) over the holidays, please contact Mika Guevarra at mguevarra@communitylinkcr.org and we will add you to the list!
Click here for the 2017 Holiday Volunteer and Donation Opportunities!
Holiday Volunteer Opportunities
Handle District — Lighting of the Luminarias
Saturday, December 9th
Shift: 2:30pm-8:00pm (1 hour 30 minutes minimum shift) | 18th, 19th, Capital and L Streets
Midtown Association is seeking a few volunteers to assist with a wonderful Midtown holiday tradition, hosted annually by the Handle District.
Angel Tree Toy Sorting 2017
Tuesday, December 5th to Saturday, December 16th
Shifts: 9:00am-12:00noon, 12:30pm-3:00pm | Cal Expo
This Christmas, the Salvation Army needs your help sorting toys for the boys and girls in need in our community. They are helping over 2500 families to celebrate Christmas when otherwise they would not. Your help is crucial to providing this service and giving children the joy of Christmas morning.
Volunteer duties may include:
- Sorting toys by type.
- Bagging toys and clothes for children based on age and gender.
- Organizing donated Angel Tree bags filled with toys and clothing for pre-selected families.
*This volunteer opportunity takes place at our warehouse at Cal Expo. Please be prepared for cold weather and dress appropriately.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE SHIFTS ARE VERY POPULAR AND ARE FILLING UP RAPIDLY!
Distribution for Angel Tree & Food Boxes 2017
Wednesday, December 20th
Shifts: 8:00am-12:30pm, 11:30am-4:00pm | Cal Expo
The Salvation Army will be distributing toys and food to families in need through our Angel Tree program. Help them provide to boys and girls in our community with the joy of Christmas morning.
Volunteer duties may include:
- Direct traffic throughout the designated areas of Cal Expo.
- Greet families and retrieve toy voucher.
- Load toys and food boxes into the cars.
- Keep eating area organized and clean.
* The Salvation Army takes great care in making sure we are accurate and friendly in this process.
*This is a fast-paced day with mostly outdoor activity. Please be prepared for cold weather and dress appropriately.
*It is required that volunteers be of at least high school age and pre-registered.
Bell Ringing Kettle Volunteers
Now until Sunday, December 24th, Monday through Saturday
Shifts: 10:00am-7:00pm (4-hour commitment) | Various locations
Making a difference is just one ring away. As you know, bell ringing in front of various locations has been a holiday tradition for The Salvation Army, but there is now a need for volunteers to help staff the different bell ringing sites this Christmas season. Money raised through the bell ringing efforts will help fund Salvation Army programs and services, supporting local families and individuals in need of assistance. Individuals and groups welcome. Volunteers can adopt a kettle for a shift, a day, a weekend or a week.
2018 Martin Luther King Weekend of Service Volunteer Opportunity
Plan to make January 15, 2018 a day to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and register to volunteer! The 50 Bikes for 50 kids annual volunteer opportunity is always a fun event. Register early as this volunteer opportunity always fills up quickly.
50 Bikes for 50 Kids 2018 | North Natomas Transportation Management Association
Sunday, January 14th, 2018 (Set-up Day) | Monday, January 15th, 2018
Shifts: 1:00pm-5:00pm (Set-up Day) | 9:00am-3:00pm
North Natomas Transportation Management Association brings you 50 Bikes for 50 Kids, a community service event that matches 50 well-deserving youth with teams of volunteers to assemble a bike for each child on the team. The event is now open for accepting volunteers for the following roles:
- Set-up Day: Assist with set-up of the event. Takes place the day prior to the event. Tasks include t-shirt and helmet sorting, mounting signage, moving tables and chairs, organizing bike build stations, etc.
Other Info: Food and drinks will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
- Bike Builder: Assist bike recipients with the assembly of their bicycles, act as a mentor, and ensure safety at all times. Knowledge of bike mechanics is helpful but not necessary. This role works directly with the youth to build the bicycle. Teams of 2-3 people are matched with each bike recipient. – 2 ½ hour time commitment (morning session begins at 9am, afternoon session begins at 12pm).
- Bike Mechanic: Assist bike building teams throughout the assembly process. Knowledge of bike mechanics is necessary. This role troubleshoots any difficulties the teams may come across, oversees 3 team building stations, may provide tools if able and provides insight and tips to the teams. – 7-hour time commitment, lunch provided
- Registration & Finish Area Volunteer: Orient bike recipients and bike builders before and after their bike build. This is will include distributing t-shirts, providing helmet fittings, taking pictures, and more. Volunteers will be trained. – 4 hour time commitment (7:30a-12p or 10:30a-3p).
- General Event Support: Assist with set-up, clean-up, and other varied tasks. – Varied time commitments.
- Skills Course Volunteer: Assist with outdoor skills course for bike recipients. Knowledge and comfort in bike riding necessary. Lunch included. – 6 hour time commitment (9:30a-3:30p).
To volunteer for this event, individuals must be:
- Bike Builders: 16+ without adult, 12+ with adult
- All other roles: 14+ without adult, 10+ with adult
Ongoing Limited-Time Volunteer Opportunities
The Longest Day Committee | Alzheimer’s Association
Now through April 5th, 2018
The Longest Day is a unique sunrise-to-sunset team fundraising event to honor the strength, heart and endurance of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Held on June 21st–the summer solstice–teams will complete an activity of their choice to raise awareness and funds for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Association needs your help to make The Longest Day happen!
They are looking for volunteers to join The Longest Day committee. The committee is responsible for creating awareness for and marking The Longest Day; recruiting teams; coaching and supporting teams; and partnering with local organizations. The committee is virtual, which allows you to work from the comfort of your home. They will provide you with all the training and resources to have a successful volunteer experience, plus they have regular committee calls to keep in touch. Meetings will be held virtually once or twice a month for one hour.
Skills needed: Fundraising, administrative support, customer service, community outreach
Sacramento Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee | Alzheimer’s Association
Now through June 16th, 2018
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support, research, and advocacy. This event will be returning to Sacramento in the fall of 2018 and they need your help to make it happen!
There are opportunities to serve on the following sub-committees:
- Sponsorship: Identifies opportunities to engage the business community in the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association and participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
- Team Recruitment: Recruits new teams from all sectors of the community.
- Team Retention: Engages past teams to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
- Marketing and Outreach: Builds public awareness of Walk through local media outlets, social media, and grassroots marketing efforts.
- AIM-Advocacy: Recruits Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) members throughout the Walk season.
- Mission: Promotes core mission elements, including TrialMatch, programs and support, and the Promise Garden.
- Logistics: Ensures that all event day components, including the start/finish line, opening ceremony, and walk route are well-planned and that participants have an excellent event experience from the parking lot to the finish line.
Training and resources will be provided to have a successful volunteer experience and regular committee calls to keep in touch. Projects may be completed remotely.
Skills needed: Donor management, fundraising, program management, event planning/management, customer service, community outreach
Field Educator – Outdoor Science Education | Sierra Nevada Journeys
Now until December 15th
Sierra Nevada Journeys is currently seeking capable interns and volunteers with experience working with elementary-age students. Specifically, they are seeking individuals interested in leading small groups of elementary students on field-based studies at local natural areas, during the school year.
Qualifications of the Preferred Candidate Include
- Passionate commitment to SNJ’s mission, desire to work with students and teachers, and making a difference!
- Experience working with children of diverse ages, abilities, and cultures
- Able to get along with a variety of students, teachers, community members and employees
- Interested in teaching science outdoors
- Ability to pass background check
- Current Red Cross CPR and First Aid (or willing to fulfill this requirement, SNJ will help facilitate/cover costs etc.)
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and hike 2-3 miles with a backpack
- Personal means of transportation (ability to drive to school and field sites)
Family Science Night Facilitator | Sierra Nevada Journeys
Now through December 15th
Sierra Nevada Journeys is currently seeking capable volunteers to help develop the youth in the problem solvers, engineers, scientists, and critical thinkers of futre generations. Specifically, they are seeking individuals interested in facilitating evening Family Science Nights. These educational events bring students and their families together at their school for an evening of hands-on science exploration and design challenges.
Qualifications of the Preferred Candidate Include
- Passionate commitment to SNJ’s mission, a desire to work with students and their families, and a drive to make a difference!
- Experience working with children of diverse ages, abilities, and cultures
- Ability to get along with a variety of students, teachers, community members and employees
- Interest in teaching science outdoors
- Ability to pass background check
- Personal means of transportation (ability to drive to school and site)
Crisis Line Volunteer | Suicide Prevention Crisis Line – Wellspace Health
Now through December 31st
Volunteers are chosen for their sensitivity, maturity, and communication skills. No previous experience is required. Approximately 60 hours of professional training is provided in crisis intervention and communication skills. Ongoing training is provided regularly. Volunteers are asked to contribute a minimum of 200 hours over a one year time period.
Outreach Specialist | Sacramento Public Library
Now through December 31st
Shifts: 4 hours a month for six months | Various locations
The Sacramento Public Library, in partnership with California Department of Veterans Affairs, has a program, Veterans Connect @ the Library, that enables veterans and their family members to receive information and resources associated with the benefits and services for which they are eligible.
As a volunteer outreach specialist, you will be part of a team that will be deployed to a specific library (there are 28 libraries in Sacramento) where you’ll set up a table with information and where you will be able to speak to veterans about VA benefits as well as library resources.
This volunteer opportunity is seeking people who are interested in assisting veterans and their families and who enjoy meeting and talking with people. For the outreach team to be successful you need to commit to volunteering at least 4 hours once a month, for six months, provide your own transportation and attend an orientation and training
Volunteer Office Assistant | Pacific Crest Trail Association
Now through December 31st
Shift: 2-6 hours a week for three months
Help the Pacific Crest Trail Association manage 1,500+ annual volunteers!
They are looking for volunteers who can help with office administration and volunteer management. This is a rewarding chance to give back to the trail and become part of the PCT community.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Filing/organizing paper and photo records
- Assembling mailings
- Database management (Raiser’s Edge)
Qualifications
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to initiate and follow through on ideas and projects
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, donor/partners, and colleagues in many different environments and with people from diverse backgrounds
- Required to maintain strict confidentiality and professional/ethical standards
- Ability to work independently
- Strong computer literacy preferred
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office with strong word processing and typing skills preferred
Help low-income families access healthy food at farmer’s markets | Alchemist CDC
Now through February 8th, 2018
Shift: 7:30am-1:00pm | Various Farmer’s Market locations
Alchemist CDC is operating CalFresh processing at multiple Farmers’ Markets in Sacramento. Farmers’ Markets are a great asset to communities and can lead to improved health for area residents. By making it easier for lower-income populations to purchase food at farmers’ markets, these community assets will become more equitable and accessible to all individuals.
They need your help to staff our CalFresh processing booths. You must be at least 18 years of age. You must attend a 1-hour training, and commit to volunteering at least four times over a three-month period (Each market day starts at 7:30am, and you can expect to be finished by 1pm). Punctuality and reliability a MUST. (You should be a morning person, as most farmers’ markets open at 8am.)
Public Program Volunteer | Powerhouse Science Center
Now through March 19th, 2018
Shifts: Saturday & Sunday, 10:45am-3:15pm | Powerhouse Science Center
The Public Programs team at the Powerhouse Science Center offers hands-on learning experiences throughout the year, often facilitated by our volunteer pool. Their goal is to make science and technology fun and accessible to all. They offer hands-on learning experiences throughout the year, often facilitated by our volunteer pool.
Requirements:
- Must be aged 16 or older
- Available on weekends
- Willingness to work with visitors of all ages and backgrounds
- Personal or professional background in science, education, or museums is desired, but not necessary
- Ability to follow instructions from staff
- Ability to be flexible and creative when necessary
- Attend orientation and required skill builder workshops throughout the year
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Salesforce Data Entry | Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada
Now through April 30th, 2018
Shifts: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm (Flexible) | Goodwill Main Office (8001 Folsom Blvd.)
Goodwill Sacramento has recently partnered with several nonprofits in the communities we serve, and we are in the process of migrating all the database records from each of the NPOs into one centralized Salesforce database. They need volunteer(s) to help with cleaning up the data to ready it for import, assistance with the migration of data, and new entry.
They are looking for a volunteer who could help:
- Manage data migration projects from kick-off to go-live
- Map source data into Salesforce
- Help streamline or automate repetitive processes
- Enter new donations and donor data
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Help Wind Youth Services Feed Homeless Youth
Help Wind Youth Services feed Homeless Youth! Volunteers are needed to help donate and deliver lunches for about 25-30 youth every day at the Wind Youth Drop-in Center.
Please arrive between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m with your donation. Donated lunches can be delivered in a ziplock bag or paper lunch sack. The following are suggested items to include in each lunch:
- Sandwich bread
- Sandwich meat & cheese
- Mayo & mustard packets
- Fruit cups
- Cliff bars or granola bars
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Small bags of chips or cookies
- Juice
- Bottled water
- ‘Fun Size’ candy bars
For a link to our full wish list of what we need click here.
Salvation Army’s Sorting & Packing Food: Tues Wed & Thurs (Ongoing)
Help get fresh produce and groceries to people in need!
Volunteers will help sort and bag donations of fresh produce and perishable food items to be handed out to the clients in the morning.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Volunteers MUST wear closed-toed rubber-soled shoes. No sandals or flip flops.
To Volunteer, click here.
Food Box Packin’ Tuesdays with the Salvation Army
This is a GREAT group activity for people from businesses, service organizations, churches, and youth groups.
Food boxes are packed using an assembly line to place cans and other non-perishables in boxes weighing 25-30 pounds. Most lifting is limited to a single food item.
Duties include: sorting, taping boxes, filling, some heavy lifting at the end of line, and breaking down boxes for re-cycling.
These food boxes are given out year-round to families and individuals in need.
We invite our volunteers to stay for a lunch.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Volunteers MUST wear closed toed rubber soled shoes. No sandals or flip flops.
