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One-Time Volunteer Opportunities

Saint Louis University’s Center for Social Action promotes many forms of community engagement, from episodic service to more in-depth involvement. This list of one-time volunteer opportunities will help SLU students, faculty or staff make a difference based on your schedule and interests. Many are perfect for groups!

November 

Who: Project C.U.R.E.
What: Volunteers are needed to help assemble hospital beds for shipping to low-resourced communities around the country.  All materials provided. Great for individuals or groups!
When: Any day Monday through Saturday, shifts available from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., now through the end of December.
Where: 131 Byassee Drive (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Janet Thomason at janetthomason@projectcure.org.   

Register for Project C.U.R.E.


Who: Missouri Botanical Garden
What: Volunteers are needed for the annual Garden Glow event, where the Garden is transformed into a holiday wonderland.  Help with all aspects, including traffic, displays monitoring, crafts/activities and more!
When: Shifts available anytime 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., every day now through Jan. 4, 2025
Where: 4344 Shaw Blvd. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Elisha Banh at 314-577-5187 or volunteer@mobot.org

Register for Missouri Botanical Garden


Who: Promise Community Homes
What: Volunteers are needed to help rake leaves at homes for adults with disabilities. Perfect for groups! 
When: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., any day the week of Nov. 18-22
Where: 1240 Dautel Lane (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Meghan Higdon at 314-567-1522, ext. 208 or meghanh@promisecommunityhomes.org.  


Who: Southside Early Childhood Center
What: Volunteers are needed for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner for SECC staff members and families. Help serve food and manage event.
When: 4:30 - 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21
Where: Phyllis Wheatley Center, 2711 Locust St. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Cleo Zundel at 314-333-7111 or czundel@southside-ecc.org


Who: Let Me Run
What: Volunteers are needed for our 5K race to raise funds for youth with ALD syndrome.
When: Anytime 7 - 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23
Where: Creve Coeur Lake (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Jamie Dresser, jamie@letmerun.org.   

Register for Let Me Run


Who: Salvation Army
What: Volunteers are needed to help set up our annual Angel Tree Toy Town, where low-income families can receive donated Christmas presents.
When: Anytime 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., either Monday, Nov. 25 or Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Where: 10634 St. Charles Rock Road (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Lauren Shelton at 314-646-3141 or lauren.shelton@usc.salvationarmy.org.     

Register for Salvation Army


Who: St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
What: Volunteers are needed to assist with audience greeting, ushering, and program distribution at our holiday production, Q Brothers' Christmas Carol: The Remix. Once the show begins, volunteers are welcome to stay and enjoy the show for free.
When: Either 6:15 p.m. - 7: 15 p.m. or 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. (matinee show) any day Nov. 26 through Dec. 22.
Where: .ZACK Theatre in Grand Center, 3224 Locust St. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Celia Chojnacki at 314-410-8698 or celia@stlshakes.org.    

Register for St. Louis Shakespeare Festival


Who: All Community Events
What: Volunteers are needed for the annual Turkey Trot of St. Louis 5K fundraiser.
When: 7:30 - 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 28
Where: Upper Muny Parking Lot (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Abby Hamerstadt, abby@allcommunityevents.com.         

Register for All Community Events


Who: Saint Louis Zoo
What: Volunteers are needed for annual Wild Lights at the Zoo, a family-friendly holiday experience. Assist with children's games and crafts, fire pits, holiday maze, and more!
When: 4:45 - 8:30 p.m., any evening Nov. 29 - Dec. 29
Where: 1 Government Drive (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Katie Emerick at emerick@stlzoo.org or 314-646-4661.         

Register for Saint Louis Zoo


December

Who: Salvation Army
What: Volunteers are needed to help set up our annual Angel Tree Toy Town, where low-income families can receive donated Christmas presents.
When: Anytime 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., any day December 2-6 or December 9-14.
Where: 10634 St. Charles Rock Road (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Lauren Shelton at 314-646-3141 or lauren.shelton@usc.salvationarmy.org.     

Register for Salvation Army


Who: St. Louis City Forestry Division
What: Volunteers are needed for Honeysuckle Hacks in Francis Slay Park, helping remove this invasive plant.
When: Dec. 3 and 5, Dec. 10 and 12, Dec 17 any day from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where: 3100 McCausland Ave. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Aaron Dohogne at 573-579-7599 or dohogne.aaron@gmail.com


Who: Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective
What: Volunteers are needed for our annual fundraiser, helping with all aspects of the event.
When: Anytime 4 - 10 p.m., Tuesday, December 3; anytime 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 4.
Where: The Center, 3701 Grandel Square (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Branden Lewis at 314-899-1188 or branden@storystitchers.org.            

Register for Story Stitchers


Who: Easterseals Midwest
What: Volunteers are needed for our annual Festival Gala fundraiser, helping with check-in and check-out, greeting guests, and supporting the live auction. Please note volunteers should be 21+ years of age.
When: 4 - 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4
Where: DoubleTree Hilton, 16625 Swingley Ridge Road (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Grace Frost at grace.frost@esmw.org


Who: Great Rivers Greenway
What: Volunteers are needed to help plant trees along the Mississippi Greenway. Perfect for individuals or small groups!
When: 9 - 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: North Riverfront Park, 10550 Riverview Drive (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Jovany Otero at 314-485-7357 or jotero@grgstl.org.         

Register for Great Rivers Greenway


Who: Midtown Community Services
What: Volunteers are needed for our annual Gala Fundraiser, which features dinner, dancing, silent and live auction, and more. Help with all aspects of the event (dinner included for volunteers).
When: 5:00 - 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 (shifts available)
Where: The Christy, 5856 Christy Blvd. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Nicole Plegge at 314-534-1180 or nicole.plegge@midtownstl.org


Who: HomeWorks!
What: Volunteers are needed for our Winter Wonderland Parent Teacher Workshop at Fairview Elementary. Assist the staff and teachers by registering families for the event, providing snacks and passing out literature and resources to families..
When: 4 - 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec.10
Where: Fairview Elementary School, 7047 Emma Ave. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Susan Loftin, sloftin@teacherhomevisit.org


Who: Salvation Army
What: Volunteers are needed to help distribute presents, food baskets, and household goods to low-income families and children as part of our Angel Tree Toy Town.
When: Anytime 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., any day Dec.16-19.
Where: 10634 St. Charles Rock Road (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Lauren Shelton at 314-646-3141 or lauren.shelton@usc.salvationarmy.org.     

Register for Salvation Army


Who: Variety - The Children's Charity
What: Volunteers are needed for our day camp for children with disabilities, assisting with various activities and experiences. 
When:  8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dec. 26, 27, 30 or 31 (shifts available)
Where: 11480 Westline Industrial Drive (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Amy Birnstill at 314-720-7719 or amy@varietystl.org


Who: Camp Circle Star
What: Volunteers are needed for our day camp for children with disabilities, assisting with various activities and experiences. 
When:  8:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27 or Monday, Dec.30
Where: Meet at Des Peres Sam's Club, transportation via bus w/ campers provided from there (Directions to Sam's Club in Des Peres)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Renee Eickmeier at 314-667-4766 or renee@campcirclestar.com