1. Adopt a Family Holiday for the Holidays
Calling all elves! Your help is needed to provide gifts and groceries to almost 600 families – including 2,000 children and teens – in need this holiday season.
It’s easy to get involved! You can choose what works best for you:
- Adopt-a-Family: Choose a family to support and shop for items from their wishlists.
- Make a Donation and let our Shopper Elves pick out the gifts for you!
- Volunteer with our merry crew of Elves – help wrap, pack, and deliver holiday cheer!
Visit scvolunteercenter.org or call the Adopt-a-Family Hotline today: (831) 457-9834.
2. Serve Meals to the Community
Santa Cruz Bread and Roses, Santa Cruz, Ongoing
Join Bread and Roses to serve free meals to those in need. Service is offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at various community locations. Contact to confirm location and time.
3. Volunteer with Advocates for Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos, Nov 17, 9:30 AM
Help preserve the beauty of Nisene Marks State Park by maintaining trails, clearing vegetation, and ensuring paths are accessible for all. Meet at the park entrance kiosk for refreshments and a trailwork kickoff.
4. Friends of Pogonip Trail Cleanup
City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation, Santa Cruz, Nov 20, 10:00 AM
Join us for a cleanup day at Pogonip Park. Volunteers will remove trash from trails and work to keep this beautiful outdoor space welcoming and clean.
5. Holiday Helpers for Seniors
I-You Venture, Santa Cruz, Ongoing
Donate wrapped gifts for older adults in care facilities, ensuring that everyone has a special gift this holiday season. Suggested items include blankets, slippers, puzzles, and adult coloring books. Drop off gifts between Dec 7 and Dec 9.
6. Volunteer at the Homeless Garden Project Holiday Store
Santa Cruz, Ongoing
Support the Homeless Garden Project’s holiday store as a Customer Experience Team member. Volunteers assist with greeting customers, restocking, and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
7. Thinking of You Cards for Isolated Seniors
I-You Venture, Santa Cruz, Ongoing
Bring joy to seniors by creating and sending greeting cards, crossword puzzle books, and other small gifts. Cards help brighten the day of older adults in care facilities and show them they’re remembered this season.
8. Have musical talent? Join the Elderday Adult Day Health Care Musical Performance for Seniors!
Bring cheer to seniors and help create a vibrant community for everyone! If you have a special talent for singing or playing an instrument we invite you to come to our health center for a performance.
9. Join the Event Support team at the Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center
Do you love attending events and connecting with the community? Join the Events Team as a volunteer! You’ll support families in need while organizing fun community activities like Turkey Drive, Holiday Gift Giving, She.is.Beautiful and more.
10. Host Your Own Grassroots Thanksgiving
County-wide
While soup kitchens and food pantries are often closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, they do need volunteers before and after the big day! Here are our tips for how to help give everyone a warm meal this holiday season – and beyond!
Read More »
Each of these opportunities provides a unique way to give back and make a difference. To sign up, visit our Holiday Volunteer Guide and find the perfect opportunity for you this holiday season!
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER CENTER OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County (VCSCC) has been connecting individuals, organizations and businesses for good since 1967. Each year VCSCSC engages with more than 500 community partners and more than 15,000 volunteers who connect meaningfully to help more than 9,000 residents in need. In addition to volunteer engagement and placement, VCSCC administers 19 programs to support community need, seniors, families, youth, disaster response, and government partnerships to make Santa Cruz County a happier, healthier place to live. For more information, visit scvolunteercenter.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and volunteer stories.
Search the Volunteer Center database of ALL volunteer opportunities
Register as a volunteer so you can be alerted as new opportunities become available.
Donate to support volunteer training or any of our 19 programs in senior care, literacy, mental health, or social justice.
Need volunteers? Register your organization and we’ll connect you to volunteers that will help you achieve your mission.
The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Visit our website at scvolunteercenter.org.
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