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Below are links of holiday volunteer events and drives in Hampton Roads. Click on the opportunity name to be redirected to the event page or information flyer. For volunteer opportunities through the holiday season and beyond, visit our opportunity calendar or search page.
If your organization would like to post a holiday volunteer opportunity on this page please forward a link and short description to Lexie Martinez.
Volunteer Opportunities
Tacky Sweater 5k
Mettle Events- 12/5-12/7
The Tacky Sweater 5K is a festive holiday event that features a 5K run and a 5K walk. Live, Love, & Run Tacky in support of EVMS Melanoma Research. The Tacky Sweater 5k is a great way to celebrate the arrival of the holiday season while supporting a worthy charity! All volunteers who come out and support the Tacky Sweater 5k will receive appreciation, and thanks from the charity partners, all the athletes, an Official T-Shirt*, a Goodie Bag*, One Free Admission to Post-Race Party, and can opt to receive a personalized letter documenting their community service hours.
25th Annual Santa Claus Shuffle
Tidewater Youth Services Foundation- 12/7-12/8
25th SANTA CLAUS SHUFFLE 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run is fun for the entire family! Join us this December 8, 2019, in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia! This family-friendly, festive event is sure to boost your holiday spirits as you participate with crowds of costumed runners through the historic streets and along the seawall in scenic Olde Towne. With complimentary refreshments, a variety of door prizes, a costume contest, and awards for the 5K race, the Santa Claus Shuffle is fun for all ages!
Dickens Christmas Towne
Nauticus- 11/22-12/31
Dickens’ Christmas Towne is an annual experience in the Half Moone Center at Nauticus. Through the use of an actual "Toy Factory" set display, costumed characters, train station, shops and activities, the bottom floor of the Half Moone is transformed into a scene from Fergus and Fogg Toy Emporium. A theatrical play, holiday gifts, books, and goodies, craft room, vendors, live entertainment and activities for the family are all included in this holiday experience. For this event, we need 3 assignments (Decorators, Craft assistants, and Train Conductors): Morning and evening shifts available.
Drives
Angel Tree
Eggleston Services- December 2-13
Please consider supporting our Angel Tree this holiday season through your gifts or by sharing the attached flyer with friends, family, colleagues, and fellow church and/or volunteer members! We have identified almost 80 families or individuals in need of support this holiday season! We are collecting gifts, clothing, food donations, and more from now through December 13th to help make their holiday season a little more special. If you cannot make it by one of our locations in person to select an angel, please call 757-858-8011, and we can pull an Angel for you and give you the info over the phone or via email. All items are due back to our corporate office or military highway location by Friday, 12/13.
Holiday Toy Drive
ForKids- December 2-12
Make this season bright for homeless children in Hampton Roads! View our list of appropriate toys at the link above and drop them off between December 2 and 12 at the Portlock and South Norfolk.
Stocking Stuffer Drive
Tidewater Youth Services- December 2-12
Santa called and he needs your help to fill the stockings of local youth! Santa gave us a long "Nice" list and we want to ensure they all have something to open Christmas morning. We use the below items to fill stockings for all of our youth:
- Winter Clothing (beanies/hats, gloves, scarves)
- Chapstick
- Travel Size Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, combs, picks, body sprays, toothbrushes, etc. )
- Playing cards (regular, Uno, etc.)
- Gift cards
- Candy (hard)
Contact us at tysf@tysfoundation.org for more information. Stocking Stuffers can be dropped off at our Main Office between December 2nd and 19th, or join us for a “Stuff the Stockings” night December 19th at 6:30 pm (location TBD)!
Alternative Volunteer Opportunities
If you are unable to attend any of the above opportunities or are just looking for something else, consider the following options
Foster a pet over the holiday
Contact your local SPCA or animal shelter and ask them what their needs are on the holidays
Visit a nursing home
Contact a nursing home near you and ask if they have any residents you can visit. Many residents do not have family in the area and end up spending the holiday alone.