Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for volunteering for the Christmas Friendship Dinner! We couldn’t do this without you. It’s a heartwarming way to give back to your community. It can be hard work but it’s a lot of fun!

Preparation for this huge event actually starts soon after the first of the year with a handful of volunteers. Check out our Calendar for events held throughout the year. We meet regularly on Thursday evening or Saturday morning starting in October to plan, introduce volunteers to CFD, and answer any questions.

On December 20 prep work begins in the kitchen. Then starting December 23, it’s “all hands on deck”, with over 300 volunteers needed, until after the final clean-up on December 26.

You can sign up to work as little or as much as you like. Any amount of help is much appreciated! Families are welcome and encouraged to volunteer together. Please note that in the kitchen, teens can work with their parents from age 14 and independently from age 16. Serving line volunteers must be 18 years or older.

Christmas Opportunities

Review the list of volunteer needs below and then click the button to sign up for a shift or multiple shifts in your area(s) of interest. Or, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 907-631-9767. If you have questions, please visit our Volunteer FAQ Page.

Preparation, Set up and Teardown

December 20 and December 21, shifts between 8 am – 8 pm

• Gift Bags: Fill gift bags for the children attending the event.
• Kitchen: Wash dishes, general cleaning, food prep, etc.

December 22, shifts between 8 am – 8 pm

• Decorate: Transform the turf area into a winter wonderland with trees, garland, and ornaments. This is a great opportunity for families. Tree Decorating Contestants can decorate trees in the afternoon.
• Kitchen: Wash dishes, general cleaning, food prep, etc.
• Setup: Start set-up tasks on the turf. Set up dining area with tables and chairs.

December 23, shifts between 8 am – 8 pm

• Decorate: Continue decorating. Tree Decorating Contestants can decorate trees during this time.
• Kitchen: Wash dishes, general cleaning, food prep, etc.
• Setup: Set up serving line and service areas around the arena, e.g. beverages, stage, Santa’s house, gift area, nativity, etc.

December 24, shifts between 8 am – 5 pm

• Decorate: Final touches to tables and other areas. Tree Decorating Contestants can decorate trees during this time.
• Desserts: Cut and plate desserts.
• Kitchen: Wash dishes, general cleaning, food prep, etc.
• Setup: Finish setting up.

December 26, shifts between 8 am – 7 pm

• Kitchen: Clean up, wash dishes, etc.
• Tear Down: Tear down tables, pick up chairs, remove, pack and store decorations. Inventory supplies.

Christmas Day

December 25, shifts between 5 am – 6:30 pm

Shift times depend on task. See the sign-up site for specific shifts.

• Beverage Service: Prepare coffee and other drinks. Restock supplies, water and ice. Assist guests with drinks. Must be old enough to handle hot coffee service and various cold drinks.

• Care and Compassion Team: Walk the floor watching for people who are seated by themselves or to appear to be sad that may need a kind word, a prayer, or just someone to talk to.

• Desserts: Plate and serve desserts.

• Drivers for Meal Delivery: Deliver meals from the Menard Center to homebound neighbors throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

• Elves: Help Santa and help meet the needs of the guests. Opportunity for kids.

• Entertainment: Individuals or groups needed to entertain between 11 am and 3 pm with music of various types.

• Guest Transportation: Pick up guests that have no transportation to Menard Center on Christmas Day Event.

• Gift Bags: Distribute gift bags.

• Historian: Maintain photo albums and add new photos and publicity to albums.

• Table Hosts: Welcome guests, help guests with food and drinks as needed, refill drinks, clear and clean tables. Good opportunity for families with older children.

• Kitchen: Food prep, wash dishes, general clean up.

• Meal Packers: Fill to-go containers for the home delivered meals and to go meals.

• Security: Set up outdoor signage and cones. Patrol parking lot, indoor turf area and restrooms.

• Serving Line: Serve food to guests. Must be 18 or older.

• Trash and Recycling Monitors: Monitor and empty trash and recycling.

• Volunteer Table: Greet, sign in, and direct volunteers. Answer volunteer questions.

• Welcome Table and Door Greeters*: Greet and direct guests, answer questions, etc. Requires friendly people who want to welcome and engage with our guests.

Click to sign up now!

*Areas identified with * are currently in need of a lead. If you are interested in heading up any of these areas, please contact the Chairperson at 907-631-9776 or CFDinnerInfo@gmail.com.

Year-Round Opportunities

If you are interested in participating in these activities throughout the year, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 907-631-9767 or CFDinnerInfo@gmail.com.

• Fundraising Committee: We need people to look for opportunities to raise funds for the organization.

• Gift Bags: Help sew and assemble gift bags. This is usually done several months in advance.

• Historian*: Maintain photo albums and add new photos and publicity to albums.

• Parades: Walk with us in the Wasilla Fourth of July and Palmer Colony Days/Christmas parades. Check the Calendar Page for information.

• Signage*: Refresh, repair and place signage around the Mat-Su Valley promoting the event.