Volunteer

Time Commitment

November–December; flexible scheduling around key events

What You'll Do

Assist staff in recruiting and matching sponsors with Johnson County families; help coordinate gift drop-off and distribution; support event logistics during the Christmas Angel store and distribution days; communicate with sponsors and families as needed.

What You Bring

A warm, organized approach; strong communication skills; comfort working with confidential information; and a genuine desire to make the holidays meaningful for families in our community.

Your Impact

Your work ensures that hundreds of Johnson County children wake up on Christmas morning knowing their community sees them and cares. It's one of the most joyful volunteer commitments we offer.

Time Commitment

Year-round; flexible commitment based on projects and events

What You'll Do

Support planning and execution of communications around the annual campaign Kick-Off and Annual Celebration; assist with social media, e-newsletters, press releases, and community outreach materials; help develop messaging that engages donors, volunteers, and community partners.

What You Bring

Strong writing and communications skills; familiarity with social media and digital platforms; creativity and attention to detail; and a passion for community storytelling.

Your Impact

Effective communications are how we grow our donor base, engage our volunteers, and build the community relationships that sustain everything we do. Your voice helps amplify ours.

Time Commitment

Primarily September

What You'll Do

Serve as the on-site point of contact for an assigned volunteer team and agency location; ensure teams have the tools, supplies, and information they need; communicate with UWJC staff and agency hosts throughout the day; help document and celebrate project completion.

What You Bring

Strong organizational and communication skills; the ability to problem-solve on the fly; comfort leading small groups; and a good sense of humor when things don't go exactly as planned.

Your Impact

The Day of Caring touches dozens of agencies and hundreds of Johnson County residents in a single day. Project Managers are a big reason that the day goes smoothly.

Time Commitment

Flexible; as-needed during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.)

What You'll Do

Assist with data entry of call records and client information; support clerical and administrative tasks as directed by the Helpline Associate; help maintain and update resource directories; and handle confidential information with professionalism and care.

What You Bring

Attention to detail; comfort with data entry and basic office software; a strong commitment to confidentiality; and a calm, professional demeanor.

Your Impact

Behind every call our Helpline answers is a neighbor who needed to know where to turn. Your support helps ensure our team can focus on the people who need us most.

Time Commitment

Primarily campaign season (July–November); flexible scheduling around workplace visits

What You'll Do

Represent UWJC at workplace campaign presentations; share personal stories and community impact data to inspire employee giving; serve as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic ambassador for our mission; coordinate with UWJC staff on scheduling and materials.

What You Bring

Confidence speaking in front of groups; a genuine connection to UWJC's mission; professional presence; and the ability to represent our organization with warmth and credibility.

Your Impact

Our workplace giving campaign is the primary engine of UWJC's fundraising. Every presentation you make connects employees to a cause that changes lives in their own backyard.

Time Commitment

Flexible; as-needed during regular business hours

What You'll Do

Assist with mailings, filing, and data entry; assemble donor and program materials; support staff with administrative tasks as assigned; and bring a positive, can-do attitude to whatever the day requires.

What You Bring

Reliability, attention to detail, and comfort with basic office tasks. No prior nonprofit experience required — just a willingness to roll up your sleeves and help.

Your Impact

The behind-the-scenes work you do creates the bandwidth our small team needs to focus on the community. Every envelope stuffed and every file organized matters.

Time Commitment

Primarily fall (September–November); committee meetings throughout the collection and distribution season

What You'll Do

Help recruit and coordinate collection sites across Johnson County; assist with logistics for coat cleaning and distribution; communicate with partner organizations and agencies; and support promotional efforts to raise awareness of the drive.

What You Bring

Organizational skills, community connections, and a passion for ensuring that every Johnson County neighbor has what they need to stay warm through winter.

Your Impact

Because of your work, children and adults who couldn't otherwise afford a winter coat will be warm this season. That's a simple, powerful thing.

Time Commitment

Event-based; flexible scheduling around UWJC programs and events throughout the year

What You'll Do

Photograph UWJC events including the Day of Caring, Annual Celebration, Fast Track, Christmas Angels, and other programs; provide edited images for use in UWJC communications, social media, and print materials; coordinate with staff on shot lists and coverage needs.

What You Bring

Photography skills and equipment; a good eye for storytelling through images; reliability and professionalism; and a genuine interest in the community we serve.

Your Impact

A great photograph can move someone to give, to volunteer, or to believe in the power of community. Your images are how we show Johnson County what its generosity looks like in action.

Time Commitment

Flexible; year-round with increased activity around major program and event seasons

What You'll Do

Assist with volunteer recruitment, screening, and onboarding; coordinate scheduling and communications with active volunteers; support recognition efforts; and help evaluate and improve the volunteer experience.

What You Bring

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; experience working with volunteers or in a coordination role; and a genuine appreciation for the people who give their time to serve their neighbors.

Your Impact

Volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Your work ensures that heart keeps beating — and that every volunteer feels seen, valued, and equipped to make a difference.

Time Commitment

Summer (June–August); flexible scheduling around distribution events and supply collection activities

What You'll Do

Sort donated school supplies and pack backpacks at preparation events; staff distribution days at school locations across Johnson County; assist with collection site deliveries and pickups; support UWJC staff with event setup, logistics, and wrap-up; and bring your energy and enthusiasm to one of the most rewarding days of the year.

What You Bring

A willingness to get to work, a warm presence with families and children, and the ability to stay organized and cheerful in a busy, high-energy environment. No prior experience needed — just a good attitude and a desire to help.

Your Impact

Every backpack packed and every supply sorted means a Johnson County student walks into school on day one feeling ready — not left behind. That confidence can change the entire arc of a school year.

Time Commitment

Spring through summer; event planning meetings and event day

What You'll Do

Plan and coordinate all logistics for the Stuff the Bus event; recruit volunteers and community sponsors; manage event-day operations and communications; and help promote the event through social media, local media, and community outreach.

What You Bring

Event planning or coordination experience, strong organizational skills, and the energy to rally a crowd around a great cause.

Your Impact

Stuff the Bus is often the community's most visible Fast Track moment of the year. Your planning makes it happen.

Time Commitment

Spring and summer; flexible scheduling around collection activities

What You'll Do

Identify and contact key Johnson County churches and businesses about hosting Fast Track collection drives; provide organizations with promotional materials and logistical support; follow up to ensure collections are completed and supplies are delivered; and maintain records of collection site contacts and results.

What You Bring

Community connections, strong follow-through, and the ability to represent UWJC professionally in a variety of settings.

Your Impact

Without the collection network you help build and maintain, Fast Track doesn't happen. You are the link between community generosity and student success.

Time Commitment

Spring and summer; committee meetings and event support

What You'll Do

Recruit and cultivate resource partner relationships; communicate event logistics, timelines, and expectations to partners; serve as the point of contact for partner questions and needs; and ensure partners have everything they need to show up ready on distribution day.

What You Bring

Relationship management skills, clear communication, and the organizational ability to manage multiple partners and timelines simultaneously.

Your Impact

Resource partners are the infrastructure of Fast Track. The relationships you build and maintain determine how smoothly distribution day goes — and how many students go home with a backpack ready for school.