by Stephanie Rokich
Community Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
With winter just around the corner, we invite you to spend some time volunteering or donating this holiday season. Through United Way of Salt Lake’s 2016 Holiday Opportunity List, you will find nearly 70 meaningful ways to get involved and really make an impact for kids and families. You can serve Thanksgiving meals, sponsor a low-income family for Christmas, read with students, host a party for immigrants, make ornaments for people with disabilities, fix children’s bikes, perform building maintenance, collect coats for refugees, make blankets for hospice patients, donate toys to homeless pets, record veterans’ stories, and much more!
Visit uw.org/volunteer/volunteer-events.html each week for an updated list, or check out the opportunities highlighted below!
Spread Warmth Winter Clothing Drive
Agency: United Way of Salt Lake
Date/Time: Now – Dec. 1, drop-off items Mon. – Fri., 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: 257 East 200 South, Ste. 300, SLC 84111 or online at roonga.com/uwslholidays
Donations: Help United Way of Salt Lake keep kids warm this winter by donating new clothing for girls and boys ages 4-18: socks, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, beanies, boots, and coats. Items are donated to low-income students who need them.
Join College Application Week
Agency: Cottonwood High School
Contact: Meredith Muller, 785.221.2525, meredith@uw.org
Volunteer: College Application Week is a statewide initiative to help seniors apply to college. Seniors will work on applications in the computer labs with the help of school counselors. Volunteer for a 2-hour shift to staff the Welcome table. Sign-up for a shift here.
Date/Time: Nov. 8 – 11, 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: 5715 South 1300 East, Murray 84121
Donations: planners, snacks, hygiene items
Help at Park City Pet Adoption Event
Agency: Paws for Life Utah
Contact: Nancy OConnor, 802.558.9337, nancy@pflu.org
Volunteer: We need three adult volunteers or children accompanied by a parent to help at the adoption event. Dog or cat lover and experience handling animals.
Date/Time: Nov. 12, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Park City Petco, 6030 Market St #130,
Park City 84098
Donations: cat towers
Volunteer at the Lincoln Loot Store
Agency: Lincoln Elementary School
Contact: Abram Sherrod, 208.406.4713, abram@uw.org
Volunteer: Lincoln Elementary runs a monthly incentive store where students spend funny money earned through good behavior or improved grades. 2-3 volunteers are needed daily to staff the store, help students pick prizes, and count their money.
Date/Time: Nov. 14 – 16 & Dec. 12 – 14
Location: 450 East 3700 South, South Salt Lake 84115
Donations: new or gently used items including small toys, sports equipment, school supplies, stuffed animals, snacks, jewelry, etc.
Distribute Thanksgiving Meals at Pantry
Agency: St. Andrew Food Pantry
Contact: Tinisha Turner, 801.871.5080, safoodpantry84065@gmail.com
Volunteer: Volunteers ages 13 and older help us distribute Thanksgiving meal boxes. Under 18 requires parent permission form. Adults must complete background check and online safe environment course.
Date/Time: Nov. 17
Location: 11835 South 3600 West, Riverton 84065
Donations: turkeys, cream soups, broth, stuffing, pie crusts/ fillings, crushed pineapple, canned pumpkin, gravy, green beans, sugar, flour, nuts, chocolate chips, French onions, potatoes, butter
Turkey Boxes for Low-Income Clients
Agency: The Road Home
Contact: Kat Kahn, 801.819.7293, kkahn@theroadhome.org
Date/Time: Now – Nov. 24
Donations: Every year we distribute turkey boxes
to the hundreds of clients living in supportive housing. Donate $5/$10/$20 grocery store gift cards, roasting pan (disposable) for turkey, canned vegetables, stuffing mix, instant potatoes,
gravy mix, cranberry sauce
Sub for Santa for Students in Clearfield
Agency: Davis Community Learning Center
Contact: Wendy Orme, 801.402.8395, worme@dsdmail.net
Location: 270 Center St, Clearfield 84015
Donations: Sponsor one of 20 families with gifts
(list provided), new youth winter clothes (boots,
sturdy shoes, coats), used or new books, incentive store donations
Fix Kids Bikes for Holiday Giveaways
Agency: Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
Contact: Megan Risbon, 801.328.2453, volunteer@bicyclecollective.org
Volunteer: Volunteer to get kids bikes ready for holiday giveaways! Volunteers should have some basic bicycle mechanical knowledge. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, unless accompanied by a parent. 2 hour minimum shifts, 8 – 10 volunteers per shift..
Date/Time: Nov. 25 & Dec. 9, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: 2312 South West Temple, SLC 84115
Donations: all types and conditions of new & used bicycles (kids bikes, cruisers, mountain & road bikes), new & used bicycle parts & tools, adult bicycle helmets, locks & lights for bicycles
Make Ornaments and Wrap Gifts
Agency: UAID (Utah Association for Intellectual Disabilities)
Contact: Kathy Scott, 801-654-8449, admin@uaidutah.org
Volunteer: UAID provides Christmas for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 800 volunteers make ornaments, buy gifts, wrap gifts, make treats, do database entry, and clean-up. All ages welcome.
Date/Time: Now – Dec. 20, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Valley Fair Mall, West Valley 84119
Donations: 1500 each of socks, underwear, sweats, bath towels, hand towels, washcloths
Fill the Boots
Agency: East Midvale Elementary School
Contact: Michelle McCall, 801.826.8406, michelle.mccall@canyonsdistrict.org
Date/Time: Now – Dec.
Location: 6990 South 300 East, Midvale 84047
Donations: Children’s boots (sizes available upon request) stuffed with a new box of crayons and fun winter scene coloring pages, a pair of gloves and winter hat, and a $25 gift card to Smith’s or Winco. We also need a foot measurement tool and books
12 Days of Christmas in Tooele
Agency: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake – Tooele Club
Contact: Darlene Dixon, 435.224.9300, ddixon@gslclubs.org
Volunteer: We collaborate with Tooele City Parks and Rec for a 12 Days of Christmas Night when families make 12 Christmas ornaments and then give them to selected families
Date/Time: Dec. 5, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: 438 West 400 North, Tooele 84074
Donations: crackers, cheese, rolls, butter, bologna, fresh fruit and vegetables, popcorn, pretzels, toaster pastries, granola bars, art and construction paper
