Volunteer Opportunities

Looking for positive male role models to engage with students during recess. Sign up here or contact Travis James.

This post was updated August 2024.

The Ankeny Community Theatre is requesting student volunteers to help out with any of the shows for the 2024-2025 season. Projects include costumes, lighting/sound, and marketing for shows in the future season. Sign up on our volunteer page of the website or email volunteer@ankenycommunitytheatre.com.

This post was updated August 2024.

We’re looking for compassionate volunteers to help in two key areas:

1. Child Supervision: Spend two hours supervising children (newborn to 10 years old) at the Community Resource Connection conference room, 641 S Ankeny Blvd. You’ll engage in activities like reading, playing games, and interacting with the kids. This opportunity is available on the 4th Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. If you’re available to help any month, please reach out to Kate at kate@fostersquad.org.
2. Packing Kits: Help us pack diaper bags and backpacks with essential items for children entering foster homes. The kits include blankets, books, stuffed animals, personal care items, and water bottles. All materials are provided. If you can spare an hour to pack these kits, contact Kate at kate@fostersquad.org to arrange a time.
3. Blanket Making: One of the most loved items are blankets. You can help by making fleece tie blankets at your convenience and dropping them off at 641 S Ankeny Blvd. during business hours. The patterns should be kid-friendly. Instructions for how to make the blankets can be found here.

If you’re interested in either of these opportunities, please get in touch with Kate at kate@fostersquad.org. Your support can make a significant difference!

This post was updated August 2024.

Multiple volunteer opportunities with in the greater Des Moines area Habitat for Humanity construction sites, home preservation and the ReStore. Sign up to volunteer here.

This post was updated June 2024.

We would love help assisting elderly population with tech issues. These issues have been: Assisting in programing a universal remote, helping set up Peacock and showing how to navigate the service, programing an alarm clock, trouble shooting a cellphone (do not disturb got turned on by accident) starting a Facebook account, helping fix pop-up blockers on a laptop.

The student would go to each tenants apartment or they could meet in the common areas. This is dependent on the students comfort level.

Currently this is scheduled on Tuesdays with a flexible time depending on the students participation in sports. Nothing would be after 6pm.

Please email Michelle Hamilton. A volunteer background check will need performed before the student is able to start the program.

This post was updated April 2024.

Hope Agency DSM supports adults with special needs in living independently and maintaining friendships with those around them. We also support them in Special Olympic sports like bowling, basketball, flag football, and more. We are looking for 1-2 volunteers for Monday nights for an hour to help at our basketball practices! If you interested in this opportunity, please let us know! If you have any questions please reach out!

Contact: Toni Ness / Team Mentor / Direct Support Professional at tonin@hopeagencydsm.org.

This post was updated April 2024.

Earn Silver Cord Hours at Holiday Hullabaloo!

Are you looking for a fun and festive way for your students to earn your Silver Cord hours? Join us at Holiday Hullabaloo!

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help spread holiday cheer from November 29 to December 31. Here’s what you need to know:

• Shifts are 4 hours long

• Primarily on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

• Each volunteer receives a free ticket to enjoy the event

• You’ll be supporting Dorothy’s House, a great cause

It’s a fantastic opportunity to make a difference, have fun, and rack up those Silver Cord hours!

Interested? Follow this link to sign up:

https://www.holidayhullabaloo.com/volunteer-today

Let’s make this holiday season magical together!

Best wishes,

The Elves

Holiday Hullabaloo Volunteer Coordinator

volunteer@holidayhullabaloo.com

This post was updated September 2024.

The Optimist Club is looking for help with 1 or 2 routes during the year.
Each route covers 30-40 flags and takes maybe 1.5 hours in AM and the same in evening for pickup..
Our Optimist Club would like to team up with your students and support them financially.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Find our more info on our website.

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 email us.

This post was updated August 2023.

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.

Foster SQUAD is an organization that aims to support foster parents and children in our community. Every other month Foster SQUAD holds a support group for foster parents. We are looking for 2 volunteers every other month to provide child care during this support group. This volunteer opportunity would be available every other month for an hour and a half in the evening.  If you are interested in volunteering for the Foster SQUAD please email Tara at tara@fostersquad.org.

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.

 

This post was updated August 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.