Program Assistant volunteers enhance the market experience by helping staff offer interactive activities for youth and families based on seasonal themes. See the schedule below for details:
Thursday, February 13th- Bean to Bar with LoveCANCELLEDThis program will feature chocolate growers and makers who create slave-free chocolate. The program is educational, with tasting samples and an activity to make your own chocolate granola grab bag to take home. Volunteers will assist staff with set up, interacting with the guests, answering questions, and cleaning up.
Sunday, March 23rd- World Down Syndrome Day Craft Assistant
Volunteers will help guests make crafts to raise awareness about Down Syndrome. The crafts include a beaded bracelet and coloring socks to hang around the Market. Volunteers will help lead the activities, assist with tie the stretchy string for the bracelets, and keep the craft area tidy.
Note: Socks symbolize the extra copy of chromosome 21 that causes Down syndrome. When viewed under a microscope, chromosomes appear as pairs that look like socks.
Saturday, April 19th- Annual Carolyn Kimes Tree Seedling Give-Away
Kristie Fisher and her mother Carolyn Kimes started giving away tree seedlings over 25 years ago. Since her mother’s passing, Kristie has kept this annual, community-loved tradition alive at the 2nd Street Market. In celebration of Earth Day, visitors will be able to select from a variety of free tree seedlings to take home and plant. Deciduous and coniferous trees will be available while supplies last. Volunteers are needed to assist staff with bagging tree seedlings, directing foot traffic, answering questions, and cleaning up.
Sunday, October 26th- Halloween Pumpkin Decorating
Volunteers will assist participants with decorating pumpkins with paper, glue, sparkles, pipe cleaners, and more! Help excited hands create pumpkin masterpieces while also encouraging children to visit the market vendors for trick-or-treat.
Sunday, December 14th and 21st- Breakfast with Santa
Volunteers will assist children and their guardians as they go through a buffet line to select their breakfast. Volunteers will help with serving food and drinks, check off people when they arrive, and assist with clean up. There are two breakfast sessions held this morning.
Impact
Programs at the Market inspire further exploration of our natural and cultural world and encourage community engagement and healthy lifestyles.
Tasks
- Welcome and interact with participants, typically youth and families
- Assist staff in the set-up and clean-up of program materials and equipment
- Help answer questions and provide good customer service to participants
- Support staff and help lead program activities
Eligibility
- This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term, Short-Term, and Youth (ages 14-17 - See specific age requirements below). Learn more about our types of service here
- Youth Volunteers: Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer, contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Volunteers may park in the public lot connected to the Market. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your shift to allow for parking, checking in, and connecting with the staff lead.
- Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, Lynda Suda, at 937-228-2088.
- Environment & Physical Demands: Physical duties may include standing, walking, food handling, and light lifting.
- Dress: Please wear your volunteer name badge and, if you have one, your green or blue volunteer shirt. The market may be cool in the winter and warm in the summer. Please dress accordingly.
Other
- New volunteers will be given an orientation at the beginning of their first shift.
See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.
