Holiday Volunteer Opportunities for Chicago Families

Join Chicago's premier family volunteering organization at their annual holiday event, and help them raise money to mobilize thousands of volunteers while spreading holiday cheer around downtown Chicago! The high-energy scavenger hunt sends participants of all ages on a race around downtown Chicago, performing holiday-cheer inducing tasks such as caroling at Cloud Gate, giving “thank you” notes to city workers, staging scenes from the Nutcracker, and more!

2pm-5pm

Families Helping Families Chicagoland is a completely volunteer-led charity! The mission is simple: create a better community by providing meaningful opportunities for families to support other local families in need. Their annual fundraising gala is a fun family event and volunteer opportunity "wrapped" into one, as kids and parents help wrap Christmas gifts for families in need. See their Facebook page for event updates.

12pm-3:30pm

The Honeycomb Project partners with dozens of local non profits to serve individuals, families and communities in need around Chicago, with a focus on providing family volunteer experiences. They have various volunteer events leading up to the holidays, so browse their full list to register in advance to pack and deliver meals, organize supplies, and clean up the neighborhood alongside your kids. Volunteering as a family is a wonderful holiday tradition!

Wreaths Across America seeks to remember fallen veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom through wreath laying ceremonies at cemeteries throughout the country each December. Kids can help in every part of the mission, from raising funds to laying wreaths at thousands of locations across the US, including St. Boniface Cemetery, Union Ridge Cemetery, and many other cemeteries around Chicago and the suburbs. To volunteer, fill out the form online and specify the location or group where you would like to participate.

Help the Greater Chicago Food Depository stock up for the holidays! They offer family-friendly days where you can volunteer with your child to repackage food just in time for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and beyond. Space for repackaging is limited, so volunteer today!

11am-1pm

Misericordia offers a variety of care to individuals with developmental disabilities to help each person realize their full potential. This holiday season, sign up with your high schoolers for 2 hour shifts to help bake holiday goodies! (No cooking skills required!) Volunteers will be scooping, mixing, baking, packaging and displaying bakery products.