Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DAAA823A5FFC52-49152017-concession#/

Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

We have a new Concession Stand Manager so please call/text Chelsea with any questions! (515) 490-9485.

This post was updated April 2024.

This post was updated April 2024.

Kites on the Green is an annual kite festival hosted by the City of Johnston which includes public kite flying, professional kite flyers demonstrations, kids’ kite building, music and more! Lots of help is needed to make this event successful and multiple shifts are available. Among other things, volunteers may be asked to help kids/families build kites, assist at special activities, staff information or donation booths, etc.

Kites on the Green is on Saturday, May 4
Volunteer shifts start at 9:30am and end at 5:30pm.

Volunteer Sign-Up: https://signup.com/go/cpqmCpP

This post was updated April 2024.

GOTR Central Iowa is the charity partner of the Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon Events! Join us May 4^th-5th for an uplifting, high-energy weekend supporting women empowerment. Funds received from the weekend support the Girls on the Run financial assistance fund. Volunteers are needed at packet pick-up, aid stations and course marshals.

When: May 4^th-5^th

Where: Jasper Winery

Register: https://bit.ly/3U2vbvf

_________________________________________________

The Girls on the Run 5K presented by EMC Insurance Companies provides a tangible sense of accomplishment to participants. To celebrate and make the experience one to remember, there are many opportunities to get involved.

When: May 19

Where: Iowa State Capitol Complex

Register: https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/spring-GOTRCIA-5K?sid=f77b060f16cf423096808d24d8e2a2fd

This post was updated April 2024.

Des Moines Menace and their Just for Girls Tournament are looking for field marshals that will be able to help us monitor fields during the tournament.

Field marshal duties include monitoring fields and games, picking up score cards after games, and informing the Tournament Director of any issues. We will have snacks and water on site for staff.

To sign up, your students can go to Des Moines Menace: 2024 Just for Girls Tournament (signupgenius.com).

This post was updated April 2024.

Numerous shifts and positions are available for volunteers at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for our Spring Garden Market May 10th to May 12th. If you’ve already volunteered at the Garden you can sign up via you online VicNet account to see openings that are available and sign up there.

If you have not volunteered at the Garden before you have two options.

If you only wish to volunteer for this event you can fill out the application at: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2096990006?_ga=2.46036132.1650715901.1713190196-870133905.1580233263

If you expect to volunteer on an on-going basis you can fill out the application at: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1325256960?_ga=2.41712674.1650715901.1713190196-870133905.1580233263

You should hear back regarding your application within 48 hours.

Check-out assistants will help cashiers check out customer purchases. A number of positions involve getting plants moved to different locations. These are Holding Area assistants, Carry Out assistants, Plant Valets.

This post was updated April 2024.

The JDRF One Walk is on May 11th at the Ankeny DMACC Campus! We are in need of volunteers for the event and it would be great if we could get students to help.

Below is our volunteer link to sign up for the event.

Signup Link: https://bit.ly/2024DSMWalkVolunteers

This post was updated April 2024.

The Ankeny Fire Department needs volunteers for the following activities, and would love to have the help of students for silver cord hours.

Help is needed for the following:

Sunday, May 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Set up for Open House

Tuesday, May 21, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Set up and Special Needs Open House

Wednesday, May 22, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Set up and EMS Week Open House

Interested individuals can contact Karen Peters, at KPeters@ankenyiowa.gov.

This post was updated April 2024.

The 2024 Summer Iowa Games Triathlon needs volunteers.  The event is taking place on Sunday, May 19th at Big Creek State Park with numerous volunteer opportunities ranging from course support to helping with participants getting organized before the event.

2024 Summer Iowa Games Triathlon Volunteer Sign Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084CAFA92EA5FD0-48808100-2024

This post was updated April 2024.

Music Under the Stars provides free concerts on the west steps of the capital, featuring the Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Jazz Band. We are beginning our 75th summer season.

Location: Iowa State Capital (west side) June 2,9,16,23,30: Lauridsen Amphitheater July 7

Times: 5:30pm – 9:00pm Sunday

Dates: June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and July 7

Duties:

Concert set-up & tear down; help with sound equipment, distribute programs to audience members, other duties as assigned. There will downtime to listen to the concert.

Volunteers are encouraged to dress comfortably, bring water, lawn chairs,etc.

Music Under the Stars provides free concerts on the west steps of the capital, featuring the Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Jazz Band. We are beginning our 75th summer season.

Website: www.starmusicdm.org

Contact:  jkendeigh@tarbell.com or 515-707-4594

This post was updated April 2024.

We are currently preparing for our 2024 Iowa Senior Games events taking place in June, and we are hoping to spread the word about our volunteer opportunities that come with these events.

Event Title: 2024 Iowa Senior Games
Event Dates: June 5 – 9, 2024
Event Locations: Des Moines/Waukee area
Volunteer Sign Up Link

All Volunteers receive a commemorate t-shirt. No expertise or knowledge of the event is necessary to volunteer!

Below is a list of volunteer positions that we are seeking.

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 – Iowa Senior Games Softball Tournament – Raccoon River Park, West Des Moines

4:00-6:00 PM | Registration Table | 2 spots available

4:00-9:30 PM | Scorekeepers | 6 spots available

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024  Athlete Packet Assembly – Location TBD

9:00-11:00 AM | Athlete Packet Assembly | 8 spots available 

Shuffleboard – Indian Hills Junior High Gym o 2:00-4:00 PM | Event Setup | 8 spots available

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2024 

Registration Table – Dinks Pickleball – Merle Hay Mall

6:30 AM-Noon | Athlete/Volunteer Check In & Awards | 2 spots available

Noon-6:00 PM | Athlete/Volunteer Check In & Awards | 1 spot available 

Pickleball – Dinks Pickleball, Merle Hay Mall

7:00 AM-Noon | Results/General Assistance | 5 spots available

Noon-6:00 PM | Results/General Assistance | 5 spots available  Shuffleboard – Indian Hills Junior High Gym

7:30 AM-Noon | Scorekeeping/Results | 10 spots available

Noon-4:00 PM | Scorekeeping/Results | 10 spots available 

Help Where Needed – Will be assigned to help where ever it is needed that day o 7:00 AM-Noon | General Volunteers o Noon-5:00 PM | General Volunteers

This post was updated April 2024.

We have summer field days planned for several daycares from the metro area on June 6, 11, 13, and 17 at the Fred Maytag II Scout Center in Des Moines.  We’re looking for volunteers who can help run stations such as STEM, water balloons, kickball, fishing, and planting seeds.  The volunteers can sign up for 1 or more days and would need to be at the Maytag Scout Center from 9 AM to 4pm.  Lunch (probably pizza) for volunteers is provided.

Please let me know if this volunteer event would qualify for the Ankeny Silver Cord and whether you could pass the information to your high school students and parents.  Students can signup using this link or by contacting me directly.

Note that while most of the stations just need a couple energetic volunteers able to provide instructions, willing to work with kids, and to help set up and tear down stations; some  stations listed in the signup such as archery and BB guns require personnel to be a certain age and/or have training and certification to run them.

Anyone who signs up for these slots will be contacted to provide the proper credentials prior to volunteering.

Signup by heading to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ABA822A2F9CE9-48437326-field

Contact: Jennifer Banh at 815-341-4593 or Jlbanh@yahoo.com

This post was updated April 2024.

We would love to have volunteers from local high schools come out and volunteer!

This post was updated April 2024.

Dates/Times/Location:
Valley and Roosevelt HS and Hiatt- Monday and Tuesday 6:30am- 8pm
Johnston HS, DSM East, Waukee High School, Prairieview, Waukee Middle, Waukee Northwest- Monday-Thursday 6:30-8pm
Waukee Timberline and Waukee South- Wed-Thur 6:30-9pm
Convention center NSDA store- Mon-Friday (unsure on times)

Contact person- Marissa Kuiken, mkuiken@waukeeschools.org

Manner to sign up – https://www.speechanddebate.org/nationals2024/

This post was updated April 2024.

Cajun Fest relies on a team of volunteers to bring the event to life. With various roles to choose from, there’s a spot for you! All volunteers must be over the age of 13, and for certain positions (as noted in the description), 18 or older. Work your designated shift to receive your Cajun Fest ticket and volunteer t-shirt. Secure your shirt by signing up before May 30; it will be distributed upon your arrival for your shift. Thank you in advance for your willingness to help celebrate Cajun culture and support local charities! For any questions, please email Volunteer Lead Karter Smith at karterksmith@gmail.com.

Signup to volunteer at https://www.cajunfestiowa.com/volunteer.

This post was updated April 2024.

Here is a volunteer opportunity in the concession stand at AHS Girls soccer games. Please see below for the signup.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054FACAC28AA8-48273480-ahssoccer#/

This post was updated April 2024.

Ankeny First United Methodist Church offers a Kids Soccer League each summer.

This league is open to kids ages 4 through 5th grade & gives them the opportunity to play soccer & be part of a team in a non-competitive, Christ-centered environment.

We are looking for people to help coach, serve concessions, paint lines on fields, set up & tear down goals and with our kick off day.

No soccer experience is needed to volunteer in this league.

Games are held Monday & Tuesday nights, June 3-25 with a Season Kick Off being held on Sunday, June 2.

Location is Ankeny First United Methodist Church-710 NE 36th St.

Register at https://ankenyfirst.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2169631

Contact Marcie Mulford at marcie.mulford@ankenyfirst.org or 515-289-9153 with questions.

This post was updated February 2024.

Show your pride! Subscribe to have a U.S. flag displayed at your home or give as a gift to a friend. The flags are set by club members at dawn and taken down at dusk on these five holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day. Service is subject to weather permitting. Lightning or snow cover may cause delay or cancellation of delivery. The 3’x5’ flag is flown from a 10’ pole. They are placed in a permanent grommet set in your yard. The grommet is set low and will not interfere with mowing or activity. The poles and flags are property of the club and are stored and maintained by the club. Sign up with your neighbors and show your pride throughout your neighborhood. You can also purchase a subscription as a gift for a friend or family. A one year subscription is only $37 and Each additional flag is $35. 100% of the proceeds help support Ankeny’s youth and families.

For questions call: Mark Feilmann – ph# 641-485-1040 Ray Morley – ph# 515-964-8903 Interested in becoming a club member or a Friend of Optimist supporter?

Contact us at:  www.ankenyoptimists.org or ankenyoptimists@gmail.com.

This post was updated February 2024.

We are looking for Day Camp Junior Counselors to help with our Summer Day Camps. Eligible students must be entering 9th through 12th grades in the fall (or graduating from high school in spring).

More information and applications can be found here – https://www.lhf.org/junior-counselors/

Contact:  Stacie Hooker, Director of Community Engagement, with questions at (515)278-5286 x 158 or shooker@lhf.org.

This post was updated February 2024.

The Ankeny Art Center values all our dedicated volunteers! Volunteering is a wonderful and fulfilling way for individuals and organizations to give to the arts and to the community. We have many different events and opportunities to volunteer at to help support a local non-profit!

View opportunities at: https://www.ankenyartcenter.org/opportunities

This post was updated January 2024.

At the Ronald McDonald House, we aim to provide a home away from home for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Families need more than just medical treatment during this difficult time. Our goal is to provide them with a supportive and comforting environment where they can focus on their child’s health and well-being.

There are a variety of ways that your students can get involved.

• Baking or Making To-Go Meals for our families
• General Deep Cleaning
• Tab Tops Collection

We also offer Service-Learning Opportunities for students 16 years or older. This program is an excellent way for students to complete their Silver Cord hours. The student will assist the house manager and volunteer coordinator with daily activities. The duties include:

• Welcome families, shadow check-in procedure and make families feel at home.
• Assist with House operations and upkeep.
• Assist with intake and documentation of donations.
• Assist with managing volunteer groups.

If you have any questions in regards to our volunteer opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact Maggie Siwinski at maggie@rmhdesmoines.org or 515-204-2005.

Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities

This post was updated February 2024.

Every day there are families recovering from dangerous and violent situations who wake up every morning wondering “how did we get here?”  They often are so perplexed it is difficult to plan for the most basic needs that most take for granted every day such as finding a safe place to live.

As a non-profit organization, the Freestore works with domestic violence and sex trafficking agencies, as well as multiple other human services agencies in the Des Moines area.  We provide donated furniture and household goods for families starting new and productive lives in a safe and secure environment, allowing them to focus instead on rebuilding their lives.

We are asking for your assistance in accomplishing our mission.  Volunteers are needed.

The Freestore is unique in that the organization is totally run by volunteers – no one at the Freestore receives a salary. With your help, many more families escaping abusive home environments will be able to move on with their lives.

There are a variety of ways for your company or organization to become involved!

• Pick up donations or deliver furniture and other household goods to qualified families with the use of our trucks.
• Assist in the warehouse with various tasks such as putting together modular furniture, sorting donations, organizing stock, etc.
• Sponsor a “fill-up-the-truck” drive at your chosen location to receive gently used household goods or monetary donations for the purchase of much-needed items.

We need teams of 3-6 to assist either on an ad hoc basis (you pick the time and date that works for you) or on a regularly scheduled ongoing commitment as infrequently as once every 4-6 weeks.

One final thought – with Earth Day just around the corner, consider the positive impact the Freestore has on the environment.  Gently used furniture and household goods are going to some of the most vulnerable in our community instead of to a landfill!  The Earth Day theme this year is “Invest in our Planet”.  Why not consider investing in the Freestore as an Earth Day initiative?

Please reach out to us at Sharon.f.steffen@gmail.com or kfrank1214@gmail.com for any questions you may have or to schedule a volunteer event. We would love to have you on board!

This post was updated February 2024.

The Ankeny Service is looking for volunteers to help with the needs of the elderly. Our program is focused on helping seniors who live at home do everyday tasks.  Tasks vary from taking out the garbage all the way to explaining the remote.  The requests from seniors come in all the time and having volunteers willing and ready to help is a great way for us to quickly help with needs.

We are located at https://www.ankenyservicecenter.org/volunteer.

You can turn in your application to volunteer online or in our office at
641 S. Ankeny Blvd., Suite H
Ankeny, Iowa 50023

For more information please contact us at ankenyservicecenter@gmail.com

This post was updated August 2023.

Volunteers Needed for Tech Help with Teens:

Johnston Public Library is seeking volunteers to participate in our new Tech Help with Teens program. Volunteers should be in Grades 10 -12, available at least one Saturday afternoon every other month, and have significant experience with computers and related technology. Tech Help with Teens is scheduled to begin in December 2022 with a training session in November.

Types of Help Include:

Working with

• Apple products – iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple iOS
• Microsoft products – Windows, Android iOS
• Kindle, Nook, eReaders, and other tablets
• Browsing, searching, and downloading content on the internet
• Setting up and using Email including Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook
• Password Management / Google Chrome Password Manager
• Cloud Storage / How to Save to Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, etc.
• Microsoft Office Products / Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• First time laptop setup

• Customer Service / Working with a diverse group of people / Clearly communicating with patrons / Must show a clean and respectable appearance

Training will be provided for all volunteers before the start of the Tech Help with Teens program. In addition to training on the above technology basics, training will include:

• How to understand Patron needs
• How to find the answer
• How to teach the Patron to find resources for future use
• Privacy and Confidentiality in the Library

Tech Help with Teens will NOT provide the following assistance:

• Troubleshooting Hardware/Software Issues
• Physical Repairs
• Consumer Product Advice/Internet Shopping Product Suggestions
• Malware/Virus Detection and Repair

Any questions regarding the program and/or volunteering can be sent to Stephanie, Public Services Librarian, at info@johnstonlibrary.org.

This post was updated April 2024.

The Des Moines Public Library has the Rosie Reader Outreach and Simple Steps early literacy initiative that provides early literacy activity bags for DMPS preschoolers. The downtown library is looking for students who could commit to a couple of hours each week to help prepare 1,300+ bags.

Interested students can email Ashley Molzen at the DMPL to learn more: ARMolzen@dmpl.org

This post was updated February 2024.

We are currently looking for volunteers to fill open shifts for our Gift Shop.   It would be most helpful for those volunteers to have some cashier experience, but not necessary.  It is primarily for comfort level with the process.  Most of our customers to our gift shop at this point are employees so far, so they scan their badges for transactions.  Our gift shop will only be a year old this November.

The shifts are either 8:30-12:30pm or 12-4pm.  Here is a description for the opportunity within this link alongside the application towards the bottom of the page.

https://www.broadlawns.org/patients-and-visitors/gift-shop

This post was updated February 2024.

Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens is looking for volunteers to be Assistants for our Summer Camp Programs. A commitment for a week is required. Camps are held Monday through Friday from 8:30 till 4:30. A background check must be completed for these positions. Anyone interested needs to fill out the application at this link: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1387062555. Emails will be sent to applicants the second week of March.

Join a dynamic team that is helping the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden become one of the most beautiful attractions in Iowa! Volunteers are essential to our success and help carry out our mission by giving over 14,000 hours of service annually. Volunteers are involved in every area within the organization–share your enthusiasm for the natural world by connecting with guests, nurturing plants, educating or supporting events and activities.

Visit the Volunteer Opportunities page. 

This post was updated February 2024.

Meals from the Heartland’s packaged meals help feed the hungry throughout the world. Meals are delivered directly to locations in Iowa, the U.S. and around the world — wherever people are undernourished or starving. When you volunteer to fight hunger with us, not only are you feeding hungry children, but meal packaging is an enjoyable, rewarding experience. We welcome individuals and teams from businesses, schools, churches, community organizations, clubs and more.

Sign up individually or with your business, church or civic group. Volunteer registration is available here.

Contact Volunteer Coordinator Sandy Niland with questions – sandy.niland@mealsfromtheheartland.org

This post was updated February 2024.

PERFECT SCHEDULE for Silver Cord and Student Volunteers!

Come whenever Monday – Saturday whenever the store is open for as long or as little fits into your schedule. At the thrift store, you can sort and process donations, tag clothing items, create displays, help with marketing, and much more. We want you to find the best fit for you. NO Scheduling…flexible hours!

100% of our proceeds go back towards local and global missions. We are a thrift store with a purpose that provides a better way of donating and serving.

Thank you!
Learn more at MH4H.org
Contact Kari McLaren – kmclaren@mh4h.org – 515.238.3482

This post was updated February 2024.

Candeo is a non-profit organization with flexible options where students can choose their level of engagement with our clients. Many of our clients are looking for someone to hang out with or a mentor who will commit to seeing them. Volunteer opportunities may include playing board games, cooking, book reading or assisting with yard work around our clients home. This opportunity is in alignment with Candeo’s mission, to inspire individuals in service to achieve their personal goals. Please contact Gerald Cofie or sign up here.

This post was updated February 2024.

Are you an accomplished band student that would be interested in delivering remote individual lessons for your younger peers? Please contact Christian Baughman.

This post was updated February 2024..