West High
Silver Cord Program
The Silver Cord program is an opportunity for students to be recognized for completing 200 hours of community service during their four years of high school. It is the intent of the Silver Cord program that hours be in direct service to others in need through local community service agencies and other outreach opportunities. Silver Cord hours must meet a clearly defined need for an agency, charity program, church, political agency, social service, group or community event. In order for hours to be honored, the student may not receive payment or credit for their services and hours may not be completed during their regular school day. Camp Wapsie LITs can earn up to 171 hours of service plus 12 hours for orientation.
Service NOT recognized: School activities such as selling merchandise, homecoming events, music or athletic practices, work or babysitting for one’s family or any other family, participation in self-improvement workshops and clinics or service which is part of an academic, court-ordered, or disciplinary requirement. Service must be performed through a non-profit agency or affiliated organization. Generally, activities that are part of a West High team, club, activity or course will not be counted toward Silver Cord hours. Seniors who complete the required hours of service will be honored at the Senior Recognition Assembly and will wear a silver cord at graduation.
We will accept no more than 8 hours per day of an activity for Silver Cord and all hours must be submitted prior to the end of the school year in which they were completed. Service hours completed over the summer will be accepted beginning the summer after the completion of 9th grade.
Current Openings
*click the title of each item to view the event flyer*
The Special Olympics Spring Classic State Competition is scheduled at various locations in Iowa City on Saturday, March 14th, from 8:15 am-3:30 pm. They are in need of volunteers to help in several different areas, including team basketball, powerlifting & basketball skills. Volunteers support the athletes by writing down scores, encouraging them, escorting them to their stations, handing out awards, etc. You can view and register for available opportunities here:
What: Activities for volunteers to do or supervise with the children
When: Meetings are usually the third Tuesday of the month from around 6:30-8
The East Central Regional Basketball & Basketball Skills Competition is scheduled at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, January 24th from 8:00am-3:30 pm. We are in need of volunteers to help in several different areas, including team basketball and basketball skills. We would love to assist you with getting involved! Volunteers support our athletes by writing down scores, encouraging athletes, escorting athletes to their stations and handing out awards. You can view and register for available opportunities here:
East Central Basketball Volunteer Registration
Help host a successful Fallin' Into Fun event for students and families on Friday, October 24th! Please review the volunteer opportunities and sign up for one shift or multiple.
If you have any questions, please email communityevents@garnerpto.org
Pilot Club of Iowa City seeks several volunteers to help at our annual fundraising Breakfast, Bazaar, and Bake Sale, on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 7am-12pm. It will be at St Andrew Presbyterian Church, off Camp Cardinal Blvd in Iowa City.
Volunteers will assist customers with carrying plates of food, clearing and resetting tables, and other tasks as assigned. Volunteers are welcome to stay as long as they can, with a minimum one hour time commitment requested. .Volunteers will receive a breakfast ticket. To register, please email Patty McCarthy at pilotclubofiowacity@gmail.com .
Pilot Club of Iowa City hosts this 49th annual event to raise funds for grants to local organizations which impact brain health, caring for others, and youth leadership development.
We are looking for volunteers to help with childcare during our PTO meetings. We need 2-3 volunteers for each meeting. We meet the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30pm-7pm. Our meeting dates are:
- October 15, 2025
- November 11, 2025
- December 9, 2025
- January 13, 2026
- February 10, 2026
- March 10, 2026
- April 14, 2026
- May 12, 2026
We generally have 3-10 children who need supervision at each meeting (though we hope to continue increasing participation so those numbers could go up). We can get access to the school gym or cafeteria and the playground is also available during nice weather.
Questions? Please contact icgrantwoodpto@gmail.com
We are looking for volunteers to help with the 5k (9/21/25) and the parade (9/26/25). Parade volunteers will assist with traffic flow, crowd control, route management, and help parade entries navigate the staging area. 5K volunteers will help with the water stations, the lemonade station near the end, direct the runners, and to cheer them on!
Volunteer opportunities at Systems Unlimited are:
- Supported Community Living Volunteer: Be partnered with a person who receives services at Systems to socialize with and do fun activities together. This would take place at sites throughout the Iowa City area. Examples of activities: Reading, Baking, Playing board games, Basketball, and video gaming.
- Event Volunteer: Volunteer at events. The next event coming up that will need a lot of volunteer power for is the Sensory Run on Saturday, October 11th
- Admin Volunteer: Help with tasks around the office. (Only need 1-2 of this type of volunteer at a time, so depending on the number of volunteers, this spot may be closed)
The Agape Cafe at Old Brick in downtown Iowa City serves a free hot breakfast dine-in or to-go for our neighbors experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity. Volunteers are wanted for Tuesday afternoon prep or Wednesday morning cafe service.
Contact agapebreakfast@gmail.com if interested.
Fields of Faith is a local nonprofit farm 15 minutes west of Iowa City in Oxford. They grow fresh produce and donate it to churches, food pantries, and families in need. Volunteer sessions take place on Saturday mornings from 8:00-10:30 AM, and no experience is necessary.
- Time Commitment: Saturday mornings, 8 - 10:30 AM
- Group Sizes: 5-10 Volunteers
- Seasons: Spring planting to fall harvest
- Where to go: 2554 Cemetery Road NW, Oxford IA 52322
Nonprofit organization providing assisted therapies for riders with disabilities, veterans, and caregivers. Ongoing help tending to 77 acres of property to support our mission.
To learn more about Miracles in Motion, head to www.miraclesinmotion.com or email volunteermiraclesinmotion@gmail.com
Please contact Bee Mauck, Volunteer Coordinator, at bmauck@oaknoll.com for more information.
Are you interested in volunteering your time?
Whether you are looking to give back, gain experience, or meet new people, volunteering is a great way to fulfill those desires!
To apply, please fill out an application!
Jobs include: book sorting, book sales, and marketing outreach. To learn more about volunteering, please email development@icpl.org. All volunteers must fill out an application, complete a background check, and commit to 10 hours of volunteering a year.