Check out volunteer opportunities happening in Austin throughout the month of December!
Keep track of your hours, non-profits, and other events on GivePulse, or UT’s affiliated account utvolunteers.org
December Service Events
Dec 3 – Dec 6 – Trail of Lights: Fun Run Shifts available on registration page
The Trail of Lights is back, and so is the Trail of Lights Fun Run! The Trail of Lights Fun Run, presented by Humana, will take place Saturday, December 6th. Volunteers are needed to help with a range of activities including packet pick up, finish line festivities and cheering runners on. Volunteer options can be found here!
Dec. 5 – River City Youth Foundation Merry Memories Set up and Decorating 11am to 5:30pm
In order to transform the Dove Springs rec center into a winter wonderland that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus proud, we need lots and lots of elves! Strong Elves will help move props and decorations, set up tables, and generally move things around. Decorating Elves will set up decorations, make snowflakes and candycanes and all sorts of crafty things to bring lots of holiday cheer to life! Elf registration here!
Dec 5 – Trail of Lights: Preview Night Shifts available on registration page
Trail of Lights Volunteers assist with all aspects of the event, including serving as Trail Guides, Trail Ambassadors, and part of our interactive displays. Volunteers will provide information and direction to attendees, and help make this event fun and festive for all! Members of this team are the public face of the Trail of Lights and should bring lots of energy, a good sense of humor and willingness to interact with Trail attendees. More info here!
Dec. 6 – River City Youth Foundation: Merry Memories Shifts available on registration page
We need LOTS of elves for our Christmas festival that we host for the whole community of Dove Springs. We are giving away thousands of toys, hosting a Santa’s Workshop with lots of fun activities, and lots more! Come join the fun and impact a family this Christmas! Register here!
Dec 6 – Easter Seals Central Texas: Photos with Santa! 9am to 1:30pm
This Saturday event will be a fun time for families of all abilites to come take adorable photos with Santa, have a great time playing games in our indoor playground area, and hopefully every child will leave with a gift! Register here!
Dec. 7 – Girlstart: deSTEMberFest 11:30am to 3:30pm
Help us kick off deSTEMber with our annual deSTEMber Fest taking place at the Bullock Museum. Girlstart will have several hands-on activities that are winter themed such as: instant snow, train engineering, gumdrop igloos and more. Volunteers are needed to help with these activities, interact with families and have a fun day promoting STEM. Click here to sign up!
Dec. 14 – Perez Elementary School: College Week 12:30pm to 2pm
College students needed to visit 3 classrooms for 15-20 minutes each to talk about their college experience and to answer students’ questions. They can talk for a few minutes about their decision to attend college, how they picked the college, their major and classes, college activities, college social life, how they prepared for college, or other topics they may think are important. Register here!
Dec. 15 – Hostelling International: Community Meal Cooks 6pm to 8pm
Volunteers prepare the meal, eat, help clean up, and hangout. Dinner is 7-8pm which is accompanied by a travel discussion led by other volunteers. This is a great opportunity to hangout with like-minded folks, eat yummy free food, and learn about amazing travel destinations. Menu is to be determined, but it is always a simple recipe like pasta or hotdogs. Register here!
Dec. 19 – AVANCE-Austin: Holiday Party 11am to 1pm
Every year, the families of our program, AVANCE staff and supporters get together to connect over a joyous holiday meal. The party is a way to celebrate our community’s most deserved families with music, games, and passing out gifts donated by Blue Santa. Volunteers are a huge part of what makes the event successful, so we invite you to help spread the holiday cheer! Register here!
Dec. 20 – Easter Seals Central Texas: Painting a Therapy Room Shifts found on registration page
We are looking for helpers to paint one of our therapy rooms. We will have all of the supplies we just need some willing volunteers! Register here!
Ongoing Events
UT Campus Environmental Center Donation Drive 4pm to 6pm
During Donation Drive, large CEC green bins will be placed at the dorms for students and faculty to donate the items they no longer want, ranging from home goods to clothing. Volunteers needed to be stationed from 4 pm to 6 pm at a dorm, only for one day those two hours, unless you would like to help out more! T2T Staff will be coming by daily to pick up the items, starting at 4 pm and we need help with that process. Registration and more info here!
2014 Austin Trail of Lights Shifts available on registration page
Trail of Lights Volunteers assist with all aspects of the event, including serving as Trail Guides, Trail Ambassadors, and part of our interactive displays. Volunteers will provide information and direction to attendees, and help make this event fun and festive for all! Members of this team are the public face of the Trail of Lights and should bring lots of energy, a good sense of humor and willingness to interact with Trail attendees. Register here!
Easter Seals Central Texas: SibKids Club Dec. 2, 5pm to 7:30pm
The SibKids Club is a monthly group for kids ages 7-11 that have siblings with special needs. The group will participate in activities that help the kids share their feelings and questions about having a sibling with special needs. Volunteers are needed to help facilitate the activities, help with set up and clean up, and provide assistance throughout the group as needed. Volunteer opportunity repeats monthly on the 1st Tuesday. Register here!
Easter Seals Central Texas: Infant Massage Childcare Dec. 4, 9:30am – 11:45am
The Infant Massage class will allow parents to learn massage strokes that can help their child’s growth, sleep, development, and digestion. If they have older children not yet in school, they will need to be entertained and cared for during the class by wonderful volunteers! Volunteer opportunity repeats weekly on Thursdays. Register here!
Easter Seals Central Texas: Play Group Dec. 5, 3:15pm to 5:15pm
Volunteers needed for Easter Seals monthly Play Group, where they will help with setting up play group area, welcome families and help children and parents with the planned activity, assist kids in engaging in free play time together, and participate in clean-up of the play space with children, parents and other volunteers. Opportunity repeats every 4th week on Fridays. Register here!