Family Volunteer Opportunities in the OKC Metro - MetroFamily Magazine
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Family Volunteer Opportunities in the OKC Metro

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Volunteering as a family is an excellent way to spend time together, benefit the community and teach your children about the importance of giving to others and lending a hand. When the spirit of helping and giving moves your family, check with any of these local non-profits for more information about the wealth of opportunities available for families to volunteer across the Oklahoma City metro.

[Editor’s Note: This article was last updated on Nov. 1, 2023. If you know of an opportunity not listed, please email us.]

Volunteer Opportunities for Families

Little. Read. Wagon

Little. Read. Wagon needs volunteers to help hide books during school breaks in OKC metro parks as part of their #Look4ABook project. Families can find out more details by messaging Little. Read. Wagon on Facebook or by emailing littlereadwagon20@gmail.com.

Infant Crisis Services To-Go Packs

Most of the families served at Infant Crisis Services are struggling to provide even the basic necessities to their children. That means providing healthy snack options are totally out of reach for many families. By creating Healthy Snack Packs for toddlers, you will be creating healthy and stronger families. Hygiene items are a luxury when you are in a financial crisis. Many of the families served at Infant Crisis Services have older children who need to smell and feel good. Hygiene bags will help them boost their self esteem, and relieve the family from some financial stress.

Coats are an important need during the cold winter months. Infant Crisis accepts gently-used baby and toddler coats as well as new ones on their Amazon wish list.

Restore OKC 

Restore OKC is welcoming families to help with their school gardens. The gardens do more than produce food, they are a tangible expression of beauty & hope. Help students keep their gardens going so students can have an incredible bounty in their “backyard!”  Sign up to weed and plant with your family!

Sisu Youth Services

Sisu offers emergency resources for at-risk youth. Families can take part in the daily meal train and provide a meal for the youth at the shelter. Whether home-cooked, store-bought or catered, volunteers provide food for 20 youth and deliver it to the shelter.

Filling Tummies

Filling Tummies provides resources to enhance the livelihood of Oklahomans. They have a mobile pantry food bus, a community garden as well as other community programs aimed at fighting hunger. Families can help by organizing a food or donation drive with their family, church or neighborhood. They also need help picking up donations and assisting with food giveaways. Follow their Facebook and Instagram pages to find out more about upcoming volunteer activities.

Community Market OKC

The Community Market is a partnership with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. The truck provides free food for the community every Friday, and the last Saturday of every month. Household and other supplies are offered when available. The truck makes two stops each day and a maximum of eight volunteers are needed at each stop. The time spent at each stop is about two hours. Volunteers can be as young as 8 years old if accompanied by a parent. Families interested in volunteering can contact St. Luke’s Mission Engagement Director Candice Hillenbrand at chillenbrand@stlukesokc.org.

Seasonal opportunities

Operation Christmas Child
www.samaritanspurse.org
Fill shoe boxes or similar sized containers with items like toys, school supplies and hygiene items, creating gifts that can make a significant difference in the lives of hurting children around the world. Pack your boxes for a boy or a girl in a specific age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. You can drop off your boxes during National Collection Week, Nov. 13-20 at a local drop off location.

Toy Shop at TEEM
1501 N Classen Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-602-2864, mstaples@teem.org
Parents in TEEM’s programs have the opportunity to shop gifts for their children during the holidays. Volunteers are needed to help wrap gifts, load gifts into vehicles, supervise children while parent shop and more. To sign up to help, visit https://www.givepulse.com/event/334076-TEEM-Toy-Shop.

Animals and Animal Shelters

The Bella Foundation
PO Box 20035
Oklahoma City, OK 73156
1-866-318-PETS, info@thebellafoundation.org
Help with animal adoption events, low-cost vaccine clinics, fundraising, transporting animals and fostering.  Children under 18 require guardian permission.

Best Friends of Pets
720 W. Wilshire Blvd., Suite 101-F
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405-418-8511, info@bestfriendsofpets.org
Help with pet adoption, pet food distribution, education programs, special events, and office work and various duties in the spay/neuter clinic. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer without a parent or guardian. Volunteers at least 10 years old may volunteer with a parent or guardian present.

Coffee Creek Riding Center 
17 E Coffee Creek Road
Edmond, OK 73034
405-340-8377
Help children with a wide range of disabilities with riding lessons. The minimum age for a volunteer assistant is 13 years old.  Volunteer training sessions are held before semesters begin. Volunteers beginning during a semester, observe a class then work with a team of experienced volunteers.

Edmond Animal Services
2424 Old Timbers Drive
Edmond, OK 73034
405-216-7615
An organization that works in conjunction with the City of Edmond Animal Shelter. Volunteers bathe, exercise dogs, socialize and play with cats, clean cages and give TLC to each dog and cat. Foster program available. Must be 18 years or older to volunteer alone. Children ages 13-17 are permitted with a parent or guardian.

Free to Live Animal Sanctuary
Edmond, OK
405-282-8617, info@freetoliveok.org
Help with adoption events, to socialize and care for the animals, clean the facilities, laundry, maintenance and more. Volunteers must be at least 14-years old to work in the cattery and 18-years old to work in the kennels.

Forever Yours Dog Rescue
Oklahoma City, OK
foreveryoursokc.org
Help with adoption outreach, fundraisers, animal transportation, website and paperwork. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or have a parental consent letter.

Midwest City Animal Welfare
8485 E Reno Ave
Midwest City, OK 73110
405-739-1400
Help with adoption events, kitten socialization, photography, office tasks, cleaning of kennels, transportation, training, fundraising and fostering. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Moore Animal Welfare and Adoption Center
3900 S I-35 Service Road
Moore, OK 73160
405-793-5190, AnimalWelfare@CityOfMoore.com
Help with animal care and grooming, walking dogs, adoption events and training. Volunteers must be over 18 years to volunteer shelter or accompanied by a guardian.

Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Shelter
2811 SE 29th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73129
405-297-3100, awvolunteers@okc.gov
Opportunities are available for all ages. No experience necessary. Application required. Volunteers between 13 and 18 years old must have an accompanying adult over the age of 21 at all times. Anyone under age 18 can consider joining our Kids for OKC Animals program.

Oklahoma City Zoo
2101 NE 50th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
405-425-0275
Volunteer opportunities include Zoo Ambassador, special events, education, diving program, animal area and horticulture. For ages 18 and up for most opportunities. Some special events allow volunteers as young at 8-years old with a chaperone.

Pets and People
9733 NW 4th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73127
405-350-7156, info@petsandpeople.com
Volunteers help with pet adoptions, cleaning cages, walking animals and working at the thrift store. Volunteers age 13 to 17 must fill out a required parental consent form.

Safe Haven Animal Rescue
PO Box 76089
Oklahoma City, OK 73147
405-463-1556, info@safehavenanimalrescue.org
Help maintain adoption facilities at pet store chains in the metro area, as well as assist with events and foster care.

Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, Inc.
4500 24th Avenue Northwest
Norman, OK 73069
405-321-1915
Walk dogs and play with the cats, clean cages, help with office work and help at adoption clinics at Petco and Petsmart. Volunteers are 18 and older, however volunteers who are 16 & 17 years of age are welcome as long as their parents remain with them while they are volunteering. A liability waiver form is required if under 18 years old.

Clubs & Civic groups

Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma
3309 E Hefner Rd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73131
405-254-2071, info@campfirehok.org 
Adults can volunteer as a camp counselor or a club leader. Campground improvement is a great group or family volunteer activity.

Edmond Soccer Club – TOPSoccer Program
1502 West Danforth Road
Edmond, OK 73003
204-7228, www.edmondsoccer.com
Volunteers assist as a one-on-one buddy coach to soccer players with various disabilities. For teens to adults.

Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma
6100 N Robinson Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
528-GIRL (4475), gswestok.org
Members enjoy camps, group activities and community involvement. Adult volunteers help with troops, outdoor activities and cookie selling in the schools and community. Applications are available online.

Food Pantries

Feed the Children
4529 Enterprise Pl
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
405-949-5168
Help prepare food and personal hygiene boxes that are sent to children and families across the U.S. For ages 12 and up. Great for groups of 10 or more. Opportunities available at additional sites.

Hope Center
1251 N. Broadway
Edmond, OK 73034
405-348-1340
Help with stocking and sorting groceries, processing orders, sorting clothing and household items, greeting clients and more. Individuals, church or civic groups, clubs, businesses and school groups can volunteer. Children 12 years of age and older can volunteer. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Moore Food & Resource Center
2635 N Shields
Moore, OK
405-600-3182
The Food & Resource Center is a client-choice pantry that allows clients to select their own food, rather than receiving a pre-packed or standard bag of groceries. Help with client support, sorting, stocking and more. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Pine Pantry
NW 16th St & Blackwelder
Oklahoma City, OK
405-348-1340
Pine Pantry is a community-supported free food pantry that creates a space to address the need for food insecurity in our community. Anyone is invited to contribute non-perishable food items.

Regional Food Bank
3355 S. Purdue
Oklahoma City, OK 73137
405-600-3161
Sort food, pack bags for senior citizens and children, sort bread or work in a greenhouse or garden. Opportunities available for 8 years old and up. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Individuals or groups of any size are welcome to volunteer. Must wear closed-toe shoes. Volunteer shifts will be available Monday through Friday. On Mondays, a morning shift will be offered while morning and afternoon shifts are available Tuesday through Friday. Visit rfbo.org/volunteer to sign up.

The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma’s Food Pantry
311 SW 5th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73101
405-246-1107
Volunteers needed to help unload and sort food items as well as fill grocery orders for families on a weekly basis.

Homeless Shelters

City Rescue Mission
800 West California Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-232-2709
Help with serving meals, life skills tutoring, GED tutoring, nursery assistance and more. Groups are welcome. Volunteers 18 and over must complete a background check.

Food and Shelter – Norman
201 Reed Ave
Norman, OK 73071
405-360-4954
Help with cooking, serving and cleaning in the kitchen, office work, taking care of shelter residents, or helping with our community events and fundraisers. Due to potential exposure to COVID-19, volunteer spaces are limited to a small number of guests per shift..

 

Literacy

Metropolitan Library System 
various locations
405-231-8650
Volunteers can read to children, assist with programs and events and more. Opportunities are available for ages 12 & up.

OKC Metro Literacy Coalition 
various locations
405-830-2790
The coalition works with a variety of organizations to help children and adults improve reading skills.

Read OKC Reading Buddies
various locations
405-587-0275
Volunteers spend quality time with students and assist in improving students’ attitudes towards reading. One-on-one, group and book club options are available.

 

Park Activities and Clean-up

Adopt-A-Park
3535 N. Classen
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405-525-8822
For church, scouting or volunteer groups. Volunteers can choose to pick up litter, mow or make city-approved landscape improvements.

Edmond Parks and Recreation Department
2733 Marilyn Williams Dr.
Edmond, OK 73034
405-359-4630
Helping people of all ages in the community experience the positive benefits of recreation. Great opportunities for groups such as Eagle Scouts or anyone interested in helping.

Martin Park Nature Center
5000 West Memorial Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73142
405-755-0676
Volunteer opportunities for the whole family include planting wildflower seeds, cleaning park grounds, trimming trees and more. Group projects are available for school, scout, homeschool and other community teams. Activities can range from basic park maintenance to special infrastructure projects suitable for Eagle Scout badges or 4-H clubs.

Will Rogers Horticulture Gardens
3400 NW 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
405-297-1392
School, church and homeschool group projects available throughout the year. Assist with plant maintenance, events and other special projects.

Senior Citizen Centers

Carter Healthcare and Hospice
3105 South Meridian Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73119
405-947-7700, Other locations can be found at: carterhealthcare.com
Vounteer Coordinator: apryor@carterhealthcare.com
Volunteers can help with direct care by providing visitations, caregiver relief and reading. Ages 18 and older.

Heartland Hospice
2802 N Kickapoo
Shawnee, OK
844-329-0950, ShawneeHospice@ProMedica.org
Friendly visiting, sitting, run errands and community services. Ages 18 and up.

 

Other volunteer opportunities for families

Bethel Foundation
13003 N. Western
Oklahoma City, OK 73114
405-286-3700
Choose an area you are interested in volunteering with such as administration, events, fieldwork, fundraising, delivery, phone back, newsletter production or volunteer coordination. Groups are welcome to volunteer. Those under 18 years of age must have a parental signature and waiver.

Caleb’s Cause Foundation
10443 N May Ave #603
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
405-285-9341
Help provide food, clothing and basic necessities to local children in need. Families with children of all ages are welcome to help once a month, once a quarter or once a year.

Calm Waters Center for Children and Families
501 N Walker, Suite 140
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405-841-4800
Volunteers have the option to serve in several capacities including facilitating small groups, assisting with special events or performing administrative duties. Must be 18 or older.

Catholic Charities
1501 N. Classen Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-523-3000

Center for Children and Families (CCFI)
1151 East Main Street
Norman, OK 73071
405-364-1420
A wide variety of volunteer opportunities from homework help to providing administrative support. Volunteer for a day or an evening at a special fundraising event or help with short-term projects such as organizing the Baby Pantry, painting, landscaping and maintenance. Must be 18 or older. Group opportunities available.

Bethany Children’s Health Center
Donald W. Reynolds Complex
6800 N.W. 39th Expressway
Bethany, OK 73008
405-470-2284, info@bethanychildrens.org
Work directly with children in education classes and other capacities or assist with special projects and events. To work directly with the children, you must be at least 17 years of age. Teens can participate in a summer volunteer program.

The Children’s Hospital
1200 N. Children’s Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-271-4870
Volunteers provide needed support to families who have a child at the hospital, work at the gift shop, deliver toys from the toy cart and more.

Civic Center STARS
201 N Walker Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
297-2584
When the curtain goes up at the Civic Center Music Hall, its 300+ volunteer ushers and ticket-takers become the STARS of the show, providing essential front-of-house services to ensure guests have an enjoyable experience. The STARS program requires a long-term commitment and is best suited to individuals who can work one or two nights per month. Candidates must be age 16 or older and go through on-site training.

Crossroads Youth & Family Services, Inc
1333 W Main Street
Norman, OK 73069
405-321-0240 ext 315
Leave a lasting impact on a child’s life through playing video games, shooting hoops or just hanging out. Must be 21 or older.

Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma
600 NW 23rd St
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
600-9981, dsaco.org
DSACO has a consistent need for volunteers throughout the week. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, and fill out a simple application form. See website for a list of opportunities available.

Moore Faith Medical Clinic
224 S Chestnut Ave Ste 100
Moore, OK 73160
405-759-0853
Assist with fundraising, scheduling, greeting, check-in and other office duties. Volunteers must be 15 and older.

Positive Tomorrows
P.O. Box 61190
Oklahoma City, OK 73146
405-556-5082
Be a mentor, lunchroom volunteer, help with the after-school program, read to a classroom, help with special events and birthday parties or conduct a drive for current needs. Group opportunities available. Must be 16 or older.

Peppers Ranch
3172 Peppers Ranch Dr
Guthrie, OK 73044
405-260-1870
There are a variety of ways volunteers of all ages help serve the needs of the children, families and the ranch including a tutoring program, community service days, birthday celebrations and more.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City
940 NE 13th St, Ste 3100
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-424-6874
Get together with friends, family, or co-workers to plan a menu and prepare a comforting evening meal for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Children must be 16 years of age or older and accompanied by an adult. Please plan to prepare for 25 people.

Christmas Connection
825 NW 24th St.
Moore, OK 73160
634-2006
Whatever your talent, schedule or age, the children and families of central Oklahoma need your help. Assist shoppers, stock shelves, sort incoming donations, perform clerical duties or deliver collection boxes. Help needed in July for school referral deliveries. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year.

Citizens Caring for Children
730 W. Wilshire, Suite 111 & 112
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405-753-4099
Volunteer opportunities at Citizens Caring for Children vary but may include sorting and hanging clothes in our Resource Center, working with children at events, organizing inventory, stuffing and sorting mail, helping children shop during Back-to-School,  donate toys during their Joy 4 Kids program, serving on a CCC committee, or other administrative tasks. Must be 18 years old and pass a background check. Children are able to volunteer at special events throughout the year.

Edmond Mobile Meals
601 NE 63rd St
Edmond, OK 73003
405-341-3111
Volunteers can help with meal delivery and work in the kitchen. Group projects are available.

Habitat for Humanity
5005 S. I-35 Service Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73129
405-232-4828
Individuals or groups can help with the construction and maintenance of homes being built. All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and groups must have a ratio of one adult per five youth ages 16 and 17. If under age 18, parent or guardian must sign a liability waiver.

Harn Homestead & Museum
1721 N. Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-235-4058, mgregg@harnhomestead.com
Duties include assisting with field trip curriculum, admissions, historic house tours, gardening, and more.

The HUGS Project
720 W. Wilshire, Suite 105
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
405-651-8359
Help fill care packages to troops, make hats, goody bags and cooling ties. Great for the whole family. Afternoon and evening calls only, please. Please call first. Open Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and most Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Infant Crisis Services
4224 N Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-528-3663, volunteerinfo@infantcrisis.org
Help with sorting, matching and hanging clothing, outdoor jobs, stocking or assembling diaper packs or toddler and infant packs. Must be 10 years or older to volunteer. 13 years and younger need to be accompanied by an adult. Please keep groups to 15 people or less.

March of Dimes
5100 N. Brookline Ave., Suite 270
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-943-1025
Individuals or families can volunteer. Take part in selling sponsorship opportunities, recruiting new volunteers, coordinating outreach to mission families, serving on the Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee, assisting with marketing communications or public relations, craft projects, events and more.

Medical Center Volunteers, Inc., serving OU Health/The University of Oklahoma Medical Center
Their Volunteen Program is open to teens, ages 14-18 years old and in high school, interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. Duties may include delivering mail, running errands and activity/coffee cart rounding. The Summer Volunteen Health Science Camp offers volunteerism and hands-on learning. College and adult volunteers are also needed. Adult opportunities include direct contact with patients and families—or roles behind the scenes on the administrative side.

Metropolitan Library System
various locations
Help tutoring and other special programs. Apply online at www.metrolibrary.org/volunteer or www.supportmls.org/volunteer.

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
2401 Chautauqua Ave.
Norman, OK 73072
405-325-1652
There are a variety of opportunities available at Sam Noble including being gallery docents, collections, information desk volunteers and Discovery Room volunteers. Volunteers must be 18 or older.

Shiloh Camp
440 NE 70th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-6407
405-858-7011
Individuals, groups and families are welcome to volunteer. Call ahead of time to coordinate a project that would interest you such as landscaping, administrative work, help with the animals or seasonal decorating. Must be 18 or older to be a camp counselor or volunteer alone.

Sunbeam Family Services
616 N.W. 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
405-528-7721
Ages 13 and up can volunteer as an individual or group to work on special projects, serve in classrooms, and more.

TEEM
1501 N Classen Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-602-2864, mstaples@teem.org
TEEM is dedicated to breaking cycles of incarceration and poverty through education, personal development and work readiness training. Volunteers are needed to help with the computer lab, special activities, food donation pick-up, mentorship and more. TEEM also has a veterans initiative pen pal program offering friendship, encouragement, and support to a veteran who is currently incarcerated in Oklahoma via letter-writing.

United Way Volunteer Center
1444 NW 28th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73101
405-523-3581
Find volunteer opportunities from agencies all over central Oklahoma.

YMCA
various locations
405-297-7777
Volunteer opportunities for adults available throughout the year for fundraising, youth sports and special events.

YWCA
2460 NW 39th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73112-8956
405-948-1770, reskridge@ywcaokc.org
Become a crisis hotline volunteer, work in childcare, provide office support or volunteer with special events. Groups of volunteers can help with grounds beautification, painting and preparing meals. Must be 18 or older.

Check out our editor’s picks for top spots for families to volunteer or these websites for more info on volunteer opportunities for families:

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