6 Best Places to Volunteer During the Holidays in Rochester, Minnesota

Volunteering during the holidays is a tradition for many residents living in Rochester, Minnesota. It's something that can be done as a family, with friends, or as a personal way to give back to the community. Throughout our city that's home to more than 110,000 residents, it's possible to find many organizations and charities that can benefit from volunteers, especially during the holiday season.

1. Christmas Anonymous

For more than 50 years, Christmas Anonymous has served Rochester helping people and families in need. Christmas Anonymous is 100-percent volunteer and always welcomes more "hands on deck." The organization accepts donations of both new and used toys plus kids' books, bicycles, and outwear. In addition volunteers are needed to help at the Christmas "store" and to assist local Seniors with food boxes for holiday meals. The "store" provides a place where families in need can shop for free for holiday gifts.

2. Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House® of Rochester, Minnesota provides support and a comfortable, safe place to stay for families as their children undergo medical treatments. During the holiday season, as well as year-round, volunteers are needed as HouseWarmers.

HouseWarmers help out:

• Greeting families as they arrive
• Performing light cleaning
• Working with support staff on a variety of tasks

From the Springs at South Broadway apartments, it's just five miles to Ronald McDonald House.

3. Volunteering at Mayo Clinic

Year-round, the Mayo Clinic relies on volunteers for a variety of areas that include helping at the welcome desk, in the gift shop, in the Patient Communication Center, and providing guided art, historical, and heritage tours. During the holiday season, additional volunteers may be needed for various areas and activities.

4. Channel One Regional Food Bank

More than 4,500 children in Olmsted County don't have access to regular meals and the Channel One Regional Food Bank is working to feed these kids and their families. No child should ever go hungry and during the holidays, this is especially important. There are short-term volunteering opportunities available like the Family Volunteer Day program.  Volunteers help repack, sort, and label food before it goes out to recipients. You also can sign up to be a general volunteer and help out during the holidays and into the new year as well.

5. Salvation Army: Northern Division

Throughout the country Salvation Army Bell Ringers are a familiar sight during the holiday season. You can sign up to be a Bell Ringer with our local Northern Division of the Salvation Army, a great way to give back during the holidays. Other seasonal activities include volunteering for:

• The Toy & Joy Shop
• The annual Children's Shopping Trip
• The Christmas Day community meal (servers are needed)

6. Local Places of Worship

Rochester is home to several places of worship, many within minutes of the Springs at South Broadway apartments. Holiday volunteering often is just a phone call away. Contact your local place of worship and ask how you can serve. There may be toy drive presents to wrap for a children's Christmas party, food baskets to organize and fill for families in need, and even carolers needed to entertain at area senior residences or at the hospital.

Whatever type of volunteering you choose, the Springs at South Broadway offer a convenient location close to the Mayo Clinic, shopping centers like the Apache Mall, places of worship, and the Ronald McDonald House. We are located on 28th Street SE close to Highway 52 and 63/South Broadway. Contact us today for information on our 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, and other apartment options.