Volunteer Opportunities From: United Way of the Midlands

It's Christmas in September! Day of Caring Volunteers will help sort and organize toys to prepare for our annual Christmas Celebration. Volunteer work will take place at our off-site location at 20 Arena Way in Council Bluffs (Santa's Workshop!). Volunteers should be prepared for physical labor, moving boxes and tables, cleaning, sorting LOTS of toys, and setting up to prepare for our Christmas Celebration that serves 5,000 individuals annually in Southwest Iowa. 

Our Project Harmony Butterfly Garden is a place of healing and hope. We'd love some help with general upkeep to celebrate this year's Day of Caring. Please join us on Friday September 11th at 2pm in our main building. All tools will be provided. 

Join Heart Ministry Center on Friday, September 11, 2026, for United Way's Day of Caring, a National Day of Remembrance and Service. Together with United Way, we'll honor the spirit of service by making a meaningful impact in our community through Food Distribution.

Join us to help provide nutritious food to families. Your time and compassion will help strengthen our community. Together, we remember, we serve, and we make a difference.

Join us in making our campus shine! Calling all volunteers who want to make a positive impact on our campus! We are recruiting volunteers to help with our campus beautification project. Whether you have a green thumb or just a passion for creating a more beautiful environment, we want YOU to join us.

Friday September 11th 9am-1pm, CRCC Southwest Center 5321 S 138th St, Omaha NE 68137

No prior experience necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and a pair of gloves, all other supplies and equipment provided. However if you have a favorite tool that would be helpful please bring what you want! Let's make our campus the best it can be!

(Tasks may include weeding, tearing out dead plants and bushes, mulching, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, etc.)

Join us in making our campus shine! Calling all volunteers who want to make a positive impact on our campus! We are recruiting volunteers to help with our campus beautification project. Whether you have a green thumb or just a passion for creating a more beautiful environment, we want YOU to join us.

Friday September 11th 9am-1pm, CRCC Northwest Center - 2010 N 88th St

No prior experience necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and a pair of gloves, all other supplies and equipment provided. However if you have a favorite tool that would be helpful please bring what you want! Let's make our campus the best it can be!

(Tasks may include weeding, tearing out dead plants and bushes, mulching, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, etc.)

Join Heart Ministry Center on Friday, September 11, 2026, for United Way's Day of Caring, a National Day of Remembrance and Service. Together with United Way, we'll honor the spirit of service by making a meaningful impact in our community through Campus Care. Join us to beautify our campus creating a welcoming space for our patrons.

Your time and compassion will help strengthen our community. Together, we remember, we serve, and we make a difference.

Food Pantry Volunteer

Monday–Friday | Generally 10:00 AM–12:00 PM or 1:00 PM–3:00 PM

Support our Food Pantry by working alongside our Pantry Coordinator to help keep the pantry organized and ready to serve older adults in our community. Volunteer schedules are coordinated directly with the Pantry Coordinator based on the pantry's current needs.

Tasks may include sorting donations, organizing pantry shelves, freezer and refrigerator items, stocking fresh produce, and preparing the pantry for distribution. Responsibilities vary from day to day depending on donations and inventory.

Small groups are welcome, with no more than six volunteers at one time to ensure everyone has meaningful work to do.

Lunch Volunteers

Monday–Friday | 11:20 AM–12:30 PM

Spend your lunch hour making a meaningful difference by helping serve hot, nutritious meals to the older adults at ISC.

This opportunity is best suited for individual volunteers or pairs (up to two volunteers at a time) to help ensure smooth meal service. Volunteers will deliver meals directly to the tables where seniors are seated and, once lunch service is complete, assist staff with wiping down tables.

This is a wonderful opportunity for those who enjoy interacting with older adults while providing a valuable service.

Program Instructors Volunteer 

Monday–Friday | 10:20–11:20 AM or 12:20–1:20 PM

Do you enjoy teaching and helping others learn? Our volunteer instructors provide engaging educational classes that help older adults build confidence and independence.

This opportunity is designed for volunteers who can commit to teaching one class each week on an ongoing basis. Consistency helps our seniors build relationships with their instructors and continue progressing in their learning.

ISC offers a structured English as a Second Language (ESL) program with four different learning levels:

Lessons focus on practical everyday English, including the alphabet, numbers, colors, emotions, vocabulary, and conversation practice. Seniors advance through each level as their language skills improve.

No teaching experience is required. ISC provides lesson plans, curriculum, worksheets, and classroom materials to make teaching simple and enjoyable.

Recreational Volunteers

Monday–Friday | 12:20 PM–1:30 PM

Help create a fun, welcoming, and engaging environment by leading recreational activities that promote socialization, creativity, and overall well-being for our older adults.

Volunteers may facilitate activities such as arts and crafts, coloring, painting, bowling, bingo, technology assistance, table games, and other recreational programs. Activities vary from day to day based on ISC's monthly programming calendar.

No special experience is required, just enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to encourage participation.

Punctuality is very important. Activities begin at their scheduled time, so volunteers should arrive 10–15 minutes early to receive instructions, prepare materials, and help ensure a smooth start for participants.

Help us prepare for our annual Community Baby Shower by assembling packages for expectant mothers and families with newborns.  Volunteers will work together to sort and package donated baby supplies such as diapers, wipes, clothing, books, and other essential items into boxes for distribution at our Community Baby Shower in October.

Are you great at organizing, love hands-on projects, or just looking for a fun way to make a difference? Join us on Friday, 09/11, United Way's official Day of Caring ffrom 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at our West O location (15555 Industrial Road) for a fun and meaningful warehouse shift!

During this shift, you’ll help sort incoming donations, stock pantry supplies, prepare for community outreaches, and support the behind-the-scenes work that helps us serve families in need.

As we recognize the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we are reminded of the importance of coming together, serving one another, and making a difference in our communities. We can’t think of a more meaningful way to honor that spirit than by giving back and helping bring hope to families who need it most.

Come serve with us, have some fun, and be part of making a difference!