9/11 Day of Service Activities
Individuals across Iowa actively engaged in Day of Service volunteer projects through various organizations. Volunteer Iowa awarded funding to organizations to support ongoing training aimed at increasing organizational capacity and strengthening youth voice. As a result of these trainings, seven organizations led eight service projects across the state on or around September 11. Overall, 580 Iowans engaged in a 9/11 Day of Service project organized by the seven organizations. Young people were actively involved in implementing volunteer projects, with 70 youth acting as leaders. 9/11 Day of Service activities were held in West Branch, Burlington, Des Moines, Ames, Boone, Harlan, Mt. Vernon, and Waterloo.
Main Street West Branch’s Youth Board launched a teen-centered “Chill Zone” during Hoover’s Hometown Days, featuring games, music, and history-themed scavenger hunts, reaching 178 youth and promoting community connections. At Reiman Gardens, volunteers supported the inaugural dinner for the Grow and Give Produce Donation Program, which donates over 18,000 pounds of produce annually to 13 pantries each season, and helped with gardening and visitor engagement during the 30th Anniversary Botanical Bash. Focus on Diabetes youth volunteers presented a 9/11 tribute in partnership with Fire & Rescue, promoting health screenings while honoring fallen firefighters. The Self Reliance Group is collecting letters and small gifts for hospitalized children, with delivery planned for November 2025. Harlan Community Schools led a downtown mural refresh through a student-led crosswalk art project. Camp Fire Heart of Iowa volunteers took on outdoor maintenance tasks such as cleanup, mulching, fencing, firewood, and tree care. Finally, Tanager Place volunteers helped with construction, landscaping, and seasonal upkeep of cabins.
Funding for 2026 Day of Service will open later this fall. Organizations interested in enhancing their city volunteer initiatives, engaging youth voice in their work, creating family volunteer opportunities, and/or leverages volunteers and their skills across all levels of the organization may apply for funding up to $3,000. Email Kamryn Ryan or Jana Daisy to sign up for more information.
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Meet our newest Mahaska County
RSVP volunteers
Meet some of the newest volunteers to join Volunteer Iowa RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) in Mahaska County. The volunteers became RSVP members to help in a variety of roles in Oskaloosa and surrounding areas. In Mahaska County, RSVP has partnered with several local organizations to help recruit volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks. The volunteers pictured are from the Oskaloosa First Assembly of God Church. Some of the roles for which they signed up included Pen Pals at Oskaloosa Elementary School, Friendly Callers for meal recipients with Milestones Area Agency on Aging, and Drivers for Oncology patients with Mahaska Health. We are always looking for additional volunteers in Mahaska County for the roles listed. The requirements to volunteer through RSVP include individuals who are ages 55 and better, have a heart for helping, and agree to a background check. For more information, please contact Shelly at shelly.elrod@volunteeriowa.org or 515-689-3290.
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Impact Iowa Afterschool Alliance Conference
Volunteer Iowa staff and commissioner, Kay Augustine, presented on service-learning and the importance of youth voice at the Impact Afterschool Conference. The Impact Afterschool Conference is a two-day training opportunity for afterschool professionals and community partners. Participants discovered the importance of service-learning and engaging youth in creating solutions to community issues. If you’re interested in implementing youth-led service-learning in your out-of-school-time program, email kamryn.ryan@volunteeriowa.org.
Join our team!
Volunteer Iowa is seeking a Volunteer Engagement & Capacity Building Intern to join our team! Join us in advancing statewide volunteer engagement efforts. This internship will provide hands-on experience in capacity building, technological solutions, and outreach strategies aimed at improving community-based volunteer networks. Intern will assist in integrating Volunteer Iowa’s Get Connected platform with Iowa HHS initiatives and non-profit programs across the state, ensuring effective volunteer coordination and community engagement. The role may also involve supporting emerging volunteer management systems, refining outreach materials, and developing best practices for sustained engagement. This internship is ideal for Social Work students interested in policy, technology, and program development. Apply today!
Current Volunteer Iowa Opportunities
Volunteer with us! Find volunteer opportunities with Volunteer Iowa here: Volunteer Iowa | Volunteer Iowa (galaxydigital.com)
Iowa AmeriCorps programs supported by Volunteer Iowa are also recruiting now. Find a listing of Iowa AmeriCorps programs at Join AmeriCorps | Volunteer Iowa.
Volunteerism in the News
Important Dates
Looking for a way to give back? Visit Get Connected today to find volunteer opportunities. Organizations can post volunteer opportunities on Get Connected as well at no cost.
This email was sent to you by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. https://hhs.iowa.gov/
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