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.
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
SOUTH BEND
Children & Family
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
GOSHEN
Education & Literacy
Emergency & Safety Services
Environmental
Ruthmere Campus – Christiana Creek Property Cleanup
Month of June
Ruthmere Campus recently acquired two parcels of land (approximately 0.43 acres) on the south side of Christiana Creek. This property is next to a historic bank barn building known as “The Pony Barn” which was part of the original Ruthmere estate.
This land acquisition has made this historic structure once again accessible and usable for museum purposes, but the acquired property has been in state of neglect for some time and has accumulated surface trash and a few illegally dumped items. There is also a small unsafe deck built on the hillside of this property that needs to be demolished.
This is a ONE-TIME request. Our project involves the clean up of all manmade materials on this property to restore this land to its natural pristine landscape. A large dumpster, sledgehammers, wheelbarrows, bags and gloves will be provided. Volunteers will be in a natural setting, so please dress appropriately. Volunteers should wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts, socks and closed-toed shoes. Please bring your own safety goggles if you intend to help with demo. Clean-up day(s) and time(s) have yet to be determined for the month of June 2024. Requesting a crew of 10 or more able-bodied people to make the project go quickly. Let us know when you are available, and we will plan the date(s) accordingly.
We will give anyone who volunteers a FREE one-year Ruthmere Private Membership (value of $60-see membership benefits here: https://ruthmere.org/Membership) and a FREE tour of the historic Pony Barn (normally not open to the public) on the day of the cleanup. Thank you for being a part of restoring history and making Elkhart a better place for people and nature!
For more information, please email Bill Firstenberger, Executive Director of Ruthmere.
Email Bill
ELKHART
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
GOSHEN