Acts of Service

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Thank you for your interest in volunteering!

Needs are organized by category. Please select one below or scroll down to see all current volunteer opportunities.

MOST URGENT

Big Balloon Build

URGENT NEED

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana is looking for over 500 volunteers for the Big Balloon Build’s General Admission days on Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th  at the Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart. Various roles are available for volunteers of all abilities. 

This event will showcase an immersive balloon experience created by more than 80 artists from around the world using more than 125,000 balloons. Please join us as we gather the community for this event that is benefiting RMHC Michiana as they care for families of sick and injured children in our community.

Click here to volunteer!

ELKHART

Animal Welfare

Supporting Cats and Dogs in Michiana

ONGOING NEED

Volunteers are needed at Pet Refuge to help with feeding, cleaning, fostering, socializing, and promoting our animals waiting for homes. Evening, morning, and weekend opportunities are available!

We are located directly off the US 20 bypass at the Michigan Street exit and invite you to come meet us and see how you can become part of our team. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Janet Graham at janet@petrefuge.com or call 574-231-1122

EMAIL JANET 

SOUTH BEND

Children & Family

Zach Williams Pre-Concert “Eat & Greet” Event

Sunday, April 14th

The Lerner Theater is hosting Zach Williams “A Hundred Highways Tour” Concert. The sponsoring organization, Awakening Events, has asked The Salvation Army to provide volunteers to help with the “Eat & Greet” event prior to the concert.
There is a need for 3-4 more volunteers. Serving time is from 3:30 – 7:00 pm.
Volunteers will receive a free meal and a free concert ticket to the event!
Please contact Ron Sherck at The Salvation Army if you would like to volunteer.

EMAIL RON 

ELKHART

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana

ONGOING NEED

Join us at Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Michiana! We depend on volunteers to help us with the daily operations of the Ronald McDonald House at Beacon Children’s Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. We have a variety of options for you! Please follow the link to the application.

Click here to volunteer!

SOUTH BEND

Five Star Life – Golf Open 2024

Tuesday, June 25th

Five Star Life would love to have 5 – 10 volunteers to help execute the Golf Open at Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame. Volunteers would be needed from 10:00 AM until approximately 4:00 PM.

To volunteer, please email Aubrey Danielson, Executive Director.

Email Aubrey 

SOUTH BEND

Supporting Children with Disabilities in Michiana

ONGOING NEED

Volunteers are needed at LoveWay Inc. Morning, afternoon, evening, and Saturday opportunities are available!

LoveWay provides adaptive equine (horse) experiences for children. Our participants with disabilities often require physical, emotional, mental and/or cognitive support to get the most out of their experience. Class volunteers assist our instructors with the participants before, during, and after class with typical activities and tasks.

Most class volunteers help participants prep their horses for class, walk (and sometimes jog) alongside them during the lesson and assist with post-class responsibilities as well.

When you compare the large number of participants served at LoveWay each year and the small size of LoveWay’s core staff, you see that it is truly the volunteers who make our work possible.

We are located at 54151 CR 33 Middlebury IN 46540. We invite you to come and meet us and see how you can become part of our team. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Christy Snyder or call 574-825-5666.

Email Christy

Community Development

Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County

ONGOING NEED

Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County and the ReStore provides an opportunity for individuals, groups, and organizations to support Habitat’s mission and build skills, relationships, and communities. You may volunteer in a variety of roles in construction, in the ReStore, or serve on one of our committees.

No experience is required to volunteer with us on the construction site or in the ReStore. For more information or to sign up, please email Faith Brummet.

EMAIL FAITH

ELKHART COUNTY

Maple City Walk and Run

Saturday, September 14th

The 15th Annual Maple City Walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2024. The event includes a marathon, half-marathon, and 10K as they enjoy a beautiful walk or run along the Maple City Greenway and Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.
We need your help! We are always looking for volunteers to help us with this wonderful community event!

Volunteer assignments include registration/check-in and food and drink stations.
If you are interested in helping out, please contact Kimberlee Stephens at 574-534-3003 or by email.

EMAIL KIM

GOSHEN

Board Member for Open Door Pantry

ONCE PER MONTH

Open Door Pantry seeking 2 dedicated board members. Our mission statement is to provide the greater Michiana community with food and resources to assist in times of need.

Board meetings are held monthly on the 2nd Tuesday at 6 pm and last 1.5-2 hours. Board members to be involved in helping with the following, if possible:

*Pantry give out day- 2nd Tuesday every month from 2:30-5pm

*Set up Radiant Life Sanctuary three times/year for special pantry give out (May, Sept & Dec)

*Procure donations & table sponsors for annual fundraiser & work the evening of the event

If you would like more information, please contact Pam Smith, Board President of Open Door Pantry at 574-370-6326.

ELKHART

Goshen First Fridays

Every first Friday of the month

Sign up to volunteer during Downtown Goshen First Fridays in 2024!

You must be at least 18 years of age or accompanied by a responsible adult. Please be prepared to stay for the entirety of your shift as these events are well-attended and require full participation.

For more information or to sign up, please click the link below.

VOLUNTEER

GOSHEN

Education & Literacy

Emergency & Safety Services

Environmental

Annual Earth Day Clean Up

Saturday, April 20th

Celebrate Earth Day by Joining Truma for their annual community clean up day at High Dive Park (503 Baldwin Street – Elkhart) from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Volunteers will be spreading woodchips, removing invasive species, and doing trash cleanup.  Plus, participate in a nature scavenger hunt!

ELKHART

Earth Day Cleanup with City of Elkhart Parks & Recreation

Monday, April 22nd

Drop in and volunteer at Woodlawn Park (604 Woodlawn Ave. – Elkhart) to celebrate Earth Day! Volunteers will be cleaning up trash, trimming plants and spreading woodchips.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Maddy Gordon, Events Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator.

EMAIL MADDY 

ELKHART

Earth Day with Elkhart Environmental Center

Saturday, April 20th

Help us celebrate Earth Day at the Elkhart Environmental Center! Sign up to help with event activities including our annual tree giveaway, or habitat restoration activity; or come early or stay later to help with setup and cleanup. We could not put on events like this without help from our wonderful volunteers–help us make this year another success! Please check the available time slots and feel free to sign up for one or more! Volunteers will get first pick of a free tree (must pick up before the event starts) and lunch will be provided.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

ELKHART

 

Wellfield Botanic Gardens

ONGOING NEED

You can make a difference in your community! Volunteering at Wellfield Botanic Gardens is a great way to get outside, have fun, and meet new people. We have volunteer opportunities for everyone, in every part of the Gardens. Below are just a few ways you can get involved.

Visitors Cottage volunteers welcome guests with a smile and help make a visit to Wellfield memorable. They also help with greeting guests for our special events. Horticulture volunteers help with planting, pruning, weeding, and general garden maintenance. Digging in the soil is good for the soul! Education volunteers assist with school field trips or adult educational programs. Garden Ambassadors spend time out in the Gardens greeting our guests, answering questions, and assisting our Guest Services staff. Event volunteers lend a helping hand setting up for special events, such as weddings and concerts. Administrative volunteers assist in our office with clerical duties including mailings and organization. We always welcome groups and organizations looking for volunteer opportunities.

For more information please contact Jodie Papandrea at 574-266-2006 ext. 107 or email Wellfield.

EMAIL WELLFIELD

ELKHART

Faith-Based

Rose Garden Recovery Community

ONGOING NEED

Rose Garden Recovery Community has 2 homes that have an ongoing need for mowing and yard work to be done during the 1st and 3rd week of every month.

Our locations are 72876 CR 29 Syracuse, IN and 11007 SR 13 Syracuse, IN 46567.

Our location on CR 29 takes about 5 hours to mow and the location on SR 13 takes about 2 hours to mow.

For more information or to volunteer, please email Kayly.

EMAIL KAYLY

SYRACUSE

Health & Wellness

Maple City Walk and Run

Heart to Heart Hospice

ONGOING NEED

At Heart to Heart Hospice we offer an extraordinary level of personal assistance to meet the needs of our patients and families.  This would not be possible without the support of our dedicated and compassionate volunteers. By volunteering and giving your time, you can make a significate impact on the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses and those that care for them.

Become a volunteer and make a difference in the lives of others. Volunteers may :

  • Provide companionship
  • Read books/news
  • Celebrate holidays
  • Help with light housekeeping
  • Make phone calls or write letters
  • Provide emotional support/spiritual support
  • Assist with a memory journal
  • Sit with patients to relieve care caregivers
  • Help with bereavement

For more information, contact Lori Baldwin, volunteer coordinator at 574.350.4977

EMAIL LORI

ELKHART COUNTY

Homelessness & Food Insecurities

Cultivate Food Rescue

ONGOING NEED

Cultivate Food Rescue needs volunteers to package meals, prepare frozen meals for distribution to community partners, assist our Chef with preparing meals, work with our logistics team to sort food items, and other projects as needed. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the week in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Sign Up Online

Email the Volunteer Team

SOUTH BEND

Serving Meals on Wheels of Goshen

ONGOING NEED

🌟🚗 Join Our Meals on Wheels Team and Make a Difference! 🚗🌟
Are you ready to spread love and make a tangible impact on the lives of our community’s seniors? We’ve got an incredible opportunity waiting for you! 🙌
Drivers: We have multiple immediate meal delivery volunteer opportunities for a dedicated weekly route (this is a one day per week commitment). Deliver meals to homebound seniors, leaving The Window at 11 am. Each route is approximately 5-15 miles. Time varies per route per driver, but some can be run in 15 minutes while other volunteers develop friendships with the clients and spend a bit more time.

Dispatcher: A dispatcher packages in meal containers prepared by the kitchen into the appropriate coolers and hot bags, takes the meal carts to the back door, and hands the coolers to each driver. Upon a drivers return the dispatcher will clean the cooler and hot/cold packs, place them on the rolling cart, and return the cart to the kitchen. This volunteer commitment is from 10 am – 12:30 pm.

There is always a need for substitutes who have flexible availability to fill in.

Contact the Meals on Wheels Director at 574-533-9680.

Email Meals on Wheels

GOSHEN

Veterans & Active Military

Military Veteran Stand Down

Saturday, June 15th

Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. needs volunteers to help with event support, set up and tear down. This event supports Indiana’s veterans by connecting them to VA resources, talk with their county veteran service officer and learn more about what the community has to offer, including fun activities for kids and families.

Volunteers will get a Stand Down t-shirt on the day of volunteering.

If you have questions, please reach out to Jill Powers at jpowers@goodwill-ni.org or by calling 574.472.7300 ext. 8081.

Register to volunteer

GOSHEN

Youth Clubs & Youth Sports Leagues

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