Welcome to United Way of Greater Knoxville’s Holiday Volunteer Guide!

This is your go-to resource for giving back during the holiday season. Explore regularly updated opportunities from November to January to find the right fit for your schedule and interests.

Ongoing

Women are invited to become a mentor for girls in 6th-12th grade! Mentors meet with their mentee at least once a month to offer encouragement and support.

Ongoing

Provide hurricane relief and support for our effected neighbors in Cocke County. Transport supplies, help families, sort donations and more.

Ongoing

Create a warm welcome for refugees arriving in Knoxville. Prepare their homes, shop for groceries, pick up furniture, welcome them at the airport and more.

Find the Perfect Project

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

Child and
Youth

Multiple Shifts, Now – 12/29
Exhibit Floor Support
MUSE Knoxville

Multiple Shifts, 12/20-12/22
Gift Wrappers
Humans and Animals Learning Together

Multiple Shifts, 12/26 – 1/3
Winter Wonderlabs
MUSE Knoxville

Multiple Shifts, 12/26 – 1/3
Winter Break Camp
MUSE Knoxville

Tuesday, 12/31
Cheer in the New Year
MUSE Knoxville

Ongoing
1-on-1 Mentor
Girl Talk, Inc.

Ongoing
Become a Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters

Arts and
Culture

Multiple Shifts, Now – 1/18
East TN Regional Student Art Exhibition
Knoxville Museum of Art

Hunger and Homelessness

Multiple Shifts, Now – 12/24
Bell Ringers ⒻⒼ
The Salvation Army

Multiple Shifts, Now – 12/27
Product Recovery ⒻⒼ
Second Harvest Food Bank

Multiple Shifts, Now – 12/24
Bell Ringers ⒻⒼ
The Salvation Army of Sevierville

Multiple Shifts, 1/3 – 6/27
Serve Lunch in Maryville
The Salvation Army

Multiple Shifts, 1/1 – 6/30
Serve Lunch in Knoxville 
The Salvation Army

Multiple Shifts, 1/1 – 6/30
Serve Dinner in Knoxville 
The Salvation Army

Disaster
Relief

Ongoing
Hopeline and Flood Recovery 
Cocke County

Ongoing
Distribution Warehouse
Cocke County

Ongoing
Family Shopping Assistant
Cocke County

Ongoing
Disaster Health Care Worker
American Red Cross

Health, Wellness, and Environment

Multiple Shifts, Now – 12/24
Gift Wrappers
Lakeway Area Habitat for Humanity

Saturday, 12/28
Invasive Species Removal
Seven Islands State Birding Park

Ongoing
Family Friend
Widowed Parent Relief Project

Ongoing
Transport Refugees to Appointments
Bridge Refugee Service

Ongoing
Welcome Refugees at the Airport
Bridge Refugee Service

Ongoing
Prepare Homes for Refugee Families
Bridge Refugee Service

Ongoing
Pick Up Furniture Donations
Bridge Refugee Service

Ongoing
Grocery Shop for Arriving Refugee Families
Bridge Refugee Service

Ongoing
Gather Household Supplies for Arriving Refugee Families
Bridge Refugee Service

Ongoing
Thank You Notes
Widowed Parent Relief Project

Older
Neighbors

Multiple Shifts, 12/17 – 12/20
Organize Gifts for Homebound Seniors ⒻⒼ
CAC Mobile Meals

Ongoing
Deliver Meals to Homebound Seniors ⒻⒼ
CAC Mobile Meals

Ongoing
Drive Seniors to Appointments
CAC Volunteer Assisted Transportation

Don’t have time to volunteer this season but still want to give back? 

The holidays are a great time to give back, but it can also be a busy season. That’s why we’ve created the option to donate volunteer hours instead! Every hour of volunteering is worth $29. Donate to cover the cost of volunteer hours!

Join Our Newsletter

Want to stay in the know about upcoming volunteer opportunities? Subscribe to our newsletter! We send out weekly volunteer highlights and tips.

We Love Our Volunteers!

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.