2023 Holiday Guide to Volunteering

Welcome to United Way of Greater Knoxville’s Holiday Guide, your go-to local resource for holiday season volunteering. 

Explore regularly updated opportunities from November to January to find the right fit for your schedule and interests. 

December 4 - 21

Second Harvest Food Bank: Help process donated and bulk food for distribution to help feed your neighbors this holiday season.

December 9

Muse Knoxville's Grandfriends Holiday Event: Create a festive morning for grandparents and their grandkids to enjoy together.

December 6

ReStore Christmas Decoration Sorting: Help the Knoxville Habitat ReStore staff members sort, price and display holiday donations.

December 11 - 14

CAC Mobile Meals Holiday Gifting: Prepare donated gifts that will be delivered to homebound seniors on Christmas Day.

December 9

Bike Walk Knoxville: Volunteer at the 2023 Tour de Lights Bike Ride, Market, and Expo for a day filled with family-friendly holiday fun.

December 15 - 17

Humans and Animals Learning Together (HALT): Wrap presents for donations to support dogs and teens in the upcoming HALT classes.

Let's Get Started!

Whether you’re an individual seeking a fulfilling holiday, a family teaching your children the importance of giving back, a group hoping to gather friends for a fun experience, or a corporation interested in making an impact, we have volunteer opportunities to fit your needs.

Explore our listings and find the perfect way to give back and share the holiday spirit. Click the title of the volunteer opportunity to register. Together, we can make this season a time of warmth, compassion and unity.

= family-friendly volunteer opportunities
= group volunteer opportunities

Arts &
Culture

December 5
Holiday Sparkles & Spirits Event
The Joy of Music School

December 9
Tour de Lights Holiday Bike Ride, Market & Expo
Bike Walk Knoxville

Hunger & Homelessness

November 10 – December 23 
Bell Ringer
The Salvation Army

December 4 – 21
Product Recovery
Second Harvest Food Bank

December 6
ReStore Christmas Decoration Sorting
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

December 8 – 10 (Multiple Shifts)
Crafty Wrappers 
Ladies of Charity Knoxville

December 13
ReStore Christmas Decoration Sorting
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

December 16
Install Cabinets and Trim 
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

December 16
Mobile Pantry Distribution Support 
Second Harvest Food Bank

December 21
Mobile Pantry Distribution Support 
Second Harvest Food Bank

Now – December 24
Gift Wrap Fundraiser Volunteers ⒻⒼ
Lakeway Area Habitat for Humanity

January 26
Mobile Pantry Distribution Support 
Second Harvest Food Bank

Ongoing
Christmas Volunteer Organizer
The Salvation Army

Environment & Animals

December 9
Open House
Ijams Nature Center

December 15 – 17 (Multiple Shifts)
Gift Wrapping Fundraiser 
Humans and Animals Learning Together

Child &
Youth Services

December 8
Christmas Assistance Event Set Up
UWGK Community Schools: Beaumont Magnet Academy

December 9
Bilingual (Spanish / English) Christmas Assistance Event Volunteer
UWGK Community Schools: Beaumont Magnet Academy

December 26 – 29
Winter Break Camp at Muse
Muse Knoxville

December 26 – 29
Exhibit Floor Support
Muse Knoxville

December 31
Cheer in the New Year at Muse 
Muse Knoxville

Now – April 30
Support the 2024 Family Friendzy Event
Widowed Parent Relief Project

Ongoing
2023 Thrive Christmas Store ⒻⒼ
Thrive

Ongoing
Babysitters and Drivers for Widowed Parents
Widowed Parent Relief Project

Health &
Wellness

December 4 – 19
Christmas Party Decorating 
Sertoma Center, Inc.

December 19
Christmas Party Volunteers 
Sertoma Center, Inc.

December 20 – 21
Deliver Christmas Presents
Sertoma Center, Inc.

Ongoing
Clean and Organize RAM Mobile Units 
Remote Area Medical

Ongoing
Family Friend Volunteer
Widowed Parent Relief Project

Senior
Services

Ongoing
Volunteer Driver
CAC Volunteer Assisted Transportation

We Love Our Volunteers!

YWCA - Phyllis Wheatley Center

Volunteer, Rosee

Meet Rosee, an outstanding leader in our community. Rosee has committed her Sundays to helping the YWCA – Phyllis Wheatly Center spread a little sunshine through her amazing artistic gifts! She’s been painting murals of color and inspirational words to brighten up the Phyllis Wheatly Center. Thanks for bringing so much beauty to our community, Rosee!

I know just how important a welcoming, open, affirming environment is for people, especially young people. I wanted to do my part to create this environment.

Dogwood ElemenTary School

Volunteers, Kelley & Stella

Kelley and Stella are regular volunteers at Dogwood Elementary School. Kelley is on the school’s steering committee, outdoor coalition and Community Schools’ event planning committee. She and her daughter participate in just about every event Community Schools hosts, and they are never hesitant to lend a helping hand when last minute needs arise.

They are pros when it comes to anything outdoors, and they are an amazing source of information when we have questions. Their dedication to Dogwood is what Community Schools is all about.

About Volunteer East Tennessee

Volunteer East Tennessee (VETN) is a program of the United Way of Greater Knoxville. It serves as the region’s volunteer center, a match-maker between community volunteers and nonprofit organizations. Local volunteers have the ability to choose from over 200 organizations with posted needs to serve their community. Click here to get started as a nonprofit partner or volunteer.

Stay Connected

Want to stay plugged in for year-round volunteer opportunities?

Fill out the form to join our volunteer email list.