Needs From: Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley

Help beautify the city by serving as a caretaker of a local park, green space, or trail with the Adopt A Spot program! This community partnership seeks to promote civic pride and maintain Cedar Falls as a clean, safe, and attractive place to live and visit.

Citizen engagement and volunteerism is a key component in helping the City uphold the cleanliness of our outdoor recreational areas. As part of this program, volunteers 'adopt' a park, trail, or green space location within the city limits. Suggested locations are listed, but if you would like to adopt a space that is not on this list, please inform the City Parks team. Organizations, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses are all welcome to get involved and make a difference!

Suggested Adopt-A-Spots:

Washington Park (598 East 9th Street)
Overman Park (316 West 3rd Street)
Pfeiffer Springs Park (910-916 Grand Blvd)
Lookout Park (at the intersection of Mandalay and Park Drive)
Gateway Park (206 Grant Street)
Place to Play Park (corner of Algonquin and Ashworth Drive) *HIGH-NEED AREA
Seerley Park (2315 Iowa Street)
Clay Street Park (15th and Clay Street)
Birdsall Memorial Park (12th Street and Lexington) *HIGH-NEED AREA
Orchard Hill Park (1701 Primrose/McClain Drive)
Bess Streeter Aldrich Park (2900 Hiawatha Drive)
Kuehn's Park (Rownd Street and Pleasant Drive)
El Dorado Heights Park (Quesada and Cordoba Avenue) 
Mayor's Bridge Trail (to Nordic Drive along Highway 58)
Big Woods Trail (1228 Big Woods Road)
Prairie Lakes Trail (924 Viking Road)
Paw Park (3200 South Main Street)
Skate Park (Seerley Boulevard and Grove Street)

Do you have a love for older adults and bingo? We would love to have you join us as a bingo caller!

I took part in UNI's Day of Service Panther Innovation Lab and I learned so much. I want to share more ideas and would like to join the team.

Yes! I am interested in being part of the Community Main Street team. I learned so much during UNI's Day of Service Innovation Lab session and know I CAN make a difference!

The purpose of our mentoring program is to increase student belonging. Meeting with community mentors helps students feel connected and empowered.

We match mentors to elementary students in kindergarten through sixth grade. As a mentor, you would meet with one assigned student once each week at school during the day for 30-45 minutes. Most often, this occurs during lunch/recess time (between 11:00-1:00). Mentors chat with students while they eat lunch and then go to a different area of the school to play board games. Mentors are expected to connect with the students personably and get to know the kids. This is not a time for academic tutoring, but rather a time for students to connect with caring, responsible adults. Games and materials will be provided. We expect mentors to dress appropriately for a school setting, to be punctual, and to communicate with us if they will be gone.

We welcome community volunteers of all ages and life stages. There are no specific knowledge or skill requirements. The school district requires all mentors to complete a district volunteer form before beginning. This includes a background check.

Blood Donor Ambassador: Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.  The need for blood is constant and so is the need for volunteers at our Blood Drives to help save lives. Volunteer Blood Donor Ambassadors ensure that blood donors have a pleasant and fulfilling experience, from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave. During a blood drive, whether you’re greeting donors, answering questions or thanking them for their donation, your courtesy and professionalism will create a favorable impression that encourages ongoing donor support. 

For more information or to apply go to: https://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday

Scan QR code to be a Red Cross volunteer!

We are looking for some volunteers to help with Museum School during the week. Museum School is a week of lessons and activities at our various locations teaching 3rd graders about their community, local history and science. This is a free learning experience offered to schools around the state. 

We are looking for at least one volunteer each day of Museum School, which runs through the school year, to assist with lessons, aiding in crosswalk safety and helping the children stay focused in group settings. The hours are 9:30-2, either Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday. Partial days or shifts are acceptable as it may be too much of a time commitment.

Retired persons would be a great fit for this opportunity.

We are looking for a volunteer to offer help to our cook so she can do her job in a timely manner and be done in a 8 hour shift. This would be a great help to our cook and to help our center run smoothly.

Responsibilities: Assisting with prep and clean up for lunch.

Qualifications include basic experience cleaning, prepping food and kitchen help.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank! We appreciate your support of our mission of supporting everyone experiencing food insecurity throughout northeast Iowa. Help make a direct impact in the community by assisting in the Cedar Valley Food Pantry and helping feed the community. Pantry volunteers will assist pantry staff in stocking shelves, sorting produce, sorting food donations, and assisting community members with their shopping if needed.

To sign up immediately through our website, please visit NEIFB Volunteer Website and locate "CVFP Morning, All Day, Mid-Morning, or Afternoon Shifts" on the calendar. Sign up through VolunteerHub and start receiving notifications for your volunteer time! For questions or assistance with signing up, please contact Raechel Miller at rmiller@neifb.org.

Location: 1605 Lafayette Street, Waterloo, Iowa 50703

2-6 Hours | 8:45am-11:00am, 9:00am-3:00pm, 11:00am-1:00pm, 1:00pm-3:30pm

You must wear closed toe shoes. 

Helping veterans in need with resources.

Answer phones, greet guest, simple data input in the computer.

Qualifications:

Someone who likes to interact with people, positive attitude.

Volunteer and help make our Friday Night Live events fun and unforgettable for residents and guests. 

In this roll, you will help our staff put on a great night of music, food and fun. Tasks include Bartending or Serving throughout our live music events on Friday Nights here at NewAldaya Lifescapes. Have fun socializing with guests, help us provide a great experience and listen to some great music along the way. 

Must be 18 years old.

Please Email: klunn@newaldaya.org for more details 

Become a Host Family with the UNI International Family Friendship Program!  Want to make a global impact without leaving home? Become a host family for the International Family Friendship Program and connect with international students right here in the Cedar Valley!

By sharing a meal and spending time together just once a month, you’ll help students learn about American culture—and you’ll get to learn about theirs, too. It’s a meaningful, flexible way to build cross-cultural friendships that last a lifetime.