Not everyone can volunteer. If you, your family, a relative or someone close to you has applied to receive assistance from Christmas Cheer, we ask that you not volunteer in any year that they apply. It just makes it less complicated for others who are receiving aid but not volunteering, and for the other volunteers who are helping.
You must be in High School or older to volunteer for the regular positions. Sometimes there are special programs that welcome youth and persons younger than high school are welcome with their parents or a guardian so long as it does not distract from the mission of Christmas Cheer and serving our clients. These exceptions must be approved by our on duty Volunteer Coordinator.
Some positions require a special frame of mind. Working directly with clients involves patience, compassion, empathy and adherence to our standards of how we treat each other. There are other positions that do not deal directly with clients that might be better suited for some volunteers.
Volunteers for these shifts will help during Distribution Times in the following Categories or provide general assistance:
Family Assistant: These assist families in selecting items. Special patience is required and a commitment to spend time being trained, and then to volunteer enough time to use that training. Family Assistants are only needed on the days of distribution. Spanish speakers are particularly needed.
Food or Toy Assistants: Help to pack food boxes from a menu. Must be able to lift items, follow directions and be flexible in following directions. Help to prepare toys for selection, unbox, rate and mark the toys.
Note: Some shifts might end earlier, some might be asked to stay later
Sometimes, we may finish our work earlier than expected; sometimes we may need to work longer to serve our clients. Please understand that this is ‘on demand’ work. We don’t “hold” work to meet any schedule. When it’s done, we go home. If we have clients still coming in, we will take care of them.
