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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 from November 15 thru January 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: Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis
What: Volunteers are needed for our Circle of Friends, assisting adults with Down Syndrome to play games and do activities together.
When: 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15
Where: 1201 Hanley Industrial Court (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Abigail Bosslet at abigail@dsagsl.org.

Register for Down Syndrome Association


Who: HomeWorks! The Teacher Home Visit Program
What: Volunteers are needed to help teachers at Aspire Academy prepare learning resource bags for distribution at a parent-teacher workshop the following day.  Help is also needed at the workshop itself, registering families, distributing snacks and materials, etc.
When: Anytime 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13; 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 14
Where: Aspire Academy, 5421 Thekla Ave. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Susan Loftin at sloftin@teacherhomevisit.org


Who: Firm Foundation Tutoring
What: Volunteers are needed for our annual Trivia Night fundraiser, helping with set-up, event management, and/or clean-up. Dinner provided!
When: Anytime 3:30 - 10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15 (shifts available)
Where: 1483 82nd Blvd. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/8kaXdjLpKnM59AUw6)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Kristen Flores at 314-278-6960 or kristen@ncfstl.org


Who: Girls on the Run St. Louis
What: Volunteers are needed for our annual end-of-season 5K in Forest Park, helping with check-in, course management, food and drinks, activity booths and more. Can accommodate groups too.
When: Anytime 5:30 a.m. - Noon, Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Upper Muny Parking Lot, Forest Park (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: Register below. For questions or more information, contact Liz Mergenthaler at 314-246-0489 or liz@gotrstl.org

Register for Girls on the Run


Who: Kindness Begins With Me
What: Volunteers are needed for our annual Trivia Night fundraiser, helping sell raffle tickets, work the silent auction, collection donations, and more.
When: 6 - 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Bishop DuBourg High School, 5850 Eichelberger St. (Directions via Google Maps)
Contact: To register, or for questions or more information, contact Toni Zychinski at 314-440-2355 or toni.zynchinski@kindmestl.org.  


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: Great Rivers Greenway
What: Volunteers are needed to remove invasive species from Unger Park. All tools and materials provided. Perfect for small or large groups, but please register ahead of time.
When: 9 - 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23
Where: Unger Park, 500 Yarnell Road (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: 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: 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