As a mom of three, I know how hard it can be to carve out time for anything beyond school, work and activities. But over the past few years, volunteering together has become one of the most meaningful things my family does, especially during the holiday season. It gives us perspective, strengthens our bond and shows my kids that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference
Sisu Youth Services
We love preparing and dropping off dinner for the youth served by the shelter. We’ve also enjoyed taking small groups to help clean the shelter, make welcome cards for the youth and prepare meals. Warm meals and kind words can make such a positive difference for youth experiencing homelessness. sisuyouth.org/get-involved
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
RFBO makes volunteering simple and fun for all ages. Together, we’ve filled backpacks with food for local school children — and my kids love seeing how fast we can go as a team! Whether you come as a family or with a group, you’ll leave feeling like you made a real difference. regionalfoodbank.org/volunteer
Homeless Alliance
Their regular Family Volunteer Days are one of our favorites. We’ve packed sack lunches, rolled thousands of socks and created “welcome home” cards for people transitioning into housing. This experience is hands-on, kid-friendly and always leaves us feeling grateful. homelessalliance.org/get-
Restore OKC
On the second Saturday of each month, families can join a community workday. We’ve enjoyed helping with gardening, and you can also support by making deliveries to seniors and even doing some light home repairs. I love that Restore provides a tangible way to show kids how neighbors care for neighbors. volunteer.restoreokc.org
Skyline
Food pantries are meaningful places for kids to volunteer because they can interact directly with the families they’re serving. At Skyline’s Family Resource Center, families welcome patrons, assist them as they shop and bag groceries. This gives children a tangible way to practice kindness while ensuring neighbors have dignity and choice in meeting their most basic needs. okcskyline.org/volunteer
More opportunities for the whole family
Serve the community with The Salvation Army.
1001 N Pennsylvania Ave, OKC
405-246-1101
November and December are very active months for The Salvation Army, which means there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to get involved. Families can sign up to participate as a bell ringer, adopt an angel from an Angel Tree or organize a toy drive at your local school, business or church group.
Other volunteer opportunities include: providing, preparing and serving an evening meal in The Salvation Army Red Shield Diner, assisting clients with their groceries in the Client Choice Food pantry and spending time with seniors at one of their five senior centers.
Bless a child at Bethany Children’s Health Center.
6800 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany
405-789-6711
Be a part of the Joy of Christmas campaign at Bethany Children’s by supporting Oklahoma’s only pediatric rehabilitation hospital. Donors shop online using the Bethany Children’s Amazon Wish List, with items shipped directly to the hospital. The wish list includes basic necessities like diapers and wipes as well as toys, books and therapeutic items carefully selected by the hospital’s nurses, teachers and therapists. These gifts support the children’s care, learning and growth throughout the year.
Serve those in need at City Rescue Mission.
800 W California Ave, OKC
405-232-2709
Families can serve during the Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Banquet and their annual Christmas Banquet, help in the toy store where homeless parents shop for Christmas presents for their kids, work in the Food Resource Center or organize a neighborhood collection for food, toys, gifts or year-round needs like new socks and underwear. Register online to browse opportunities and sign up to help at www.cityrescue.org.
Share in the giving spirit through the Center for Children and Families’ Holiday Wishes program.
210 S Cockrel, Norman
405-364-1420
Through the Holiday Wishes program, the Center for Children and Families provides hundreds of children they serve with gifts and families in need with important essentials this holiday season. Your family can adopt a child’s wish list and shop for gifts, donate gift cards that will be used to purchase kids’ clothing or conduct a drive for toys, books, gift cards and cold-weather essentials that will help bring joy to those having difficulties this holiday season.
This article was updated by Erin Page and Emiley Bainbridge to include updated information for the 2025 holiday season. Find a full list of places to volunteer at metrofamilymagazine.com/family-volunteer-opportunities.
