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*
WE NEED HELP AT:
Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings (May-August)
Iowa Arts Festival (June)
Iowa City Jazz Festival (July)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:
Art Fair Assistant
Bike Parking
Children’s Activities
Merchandise Booth
Set Up/Tear Down at Riverfront Crossings Park
Sign up and learn more at https://summerofthearts.org/
Crowded Closet offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the shop, and flexible shifts are available during the summer months.
Volunteers serve alongside the team and help support local and global relief efforts through Mennonite Central Committee while building skills, confidence, and community connections.
Complete the Youth Volunteer Application at: www.crowdedcloset.org/
Female volunteers only: Our Camping4Girls summer camp program serves over 110 4th grade girls from under-privileged homes throughout Iowa. Volunteer counselors assist our camp staff and help lead the girls in activities like swimming, arts and crafts, kayaking, and games, as well as supervise them in their cabins at night. Camping4Girls Volunteers are needed the weeks of June 7-12. Volunteers must be current juniors in high school or older to apply. Earn 120 volunteer hours with just one week of service!
Male and female volunteers: Our traditional summer camp programs serve children and youth between the ages of 5 and 17. These programs are religious in nature, so volunteers must be comfortable working and participating in a Christian program. Volunteer counselors assist our camp staff in caring for campers and leading activities like swimming, kayaking, archery, and Bible study, as well as caring for the campers at night. Volunteers are needed during the weeks of June 14-19, June 21-26, July 5-10, July 12-17, and July 19-24. Volunteers must be current juniors in high school or older to apply. Earn 120 volunteer hours with just one week of service!
If you are interested in working or volunteering at Camp Bear Creek, email Jake O'Connor at jake@bearcreek.camp or apply online at bearcreek.camp
The philosophy of hospice care is to provide comfort and the highest quality of life that one can achieve at the end of life. Through an interdisciplinary team: nurse, home health aide, social worker, chaplain and volunteers, we help the patient and family walk through their journey.
As a volunteer, you can choose between many opportunities.
- The gift of companionship
- Caregiver respite
- Administrative office tasks
- Bereavement Support
If interested, please contact April Adair at (319) 451-6300 or aadair@suncrestcare.com
Respectacle is a nonprofit organization that redistributes donated eyeglasses to individuals around the world who do not have access to affordable vision care. By matching donated prescription glasses to people in need, Respectacle helps improve access to vision care for underserved communities.
We’re currently looking for student volunteers to help support our work. Volunteers would be involved with sorting and cataloging donated eyeglasses and helping with glasses collection drives.
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
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
Students grades 10-12 are encourage to apply. Participants can earn up to 15 Silver Cord hours.
When: July 20-24 from 12-3 pm daily
Where: Houses into Homes' warehouse in Coralville
Applications are now being accepted at https://www.housesintohomes.
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.