There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer all year round with United Way of Lancaster County and our partnering agencies, but our neighbors could use a little extra this season. When you give the gift of your time and talents over the holidays, you are helping to celebrate and uplift our community through meaningful volunteer initiatives.
Are you ready to make a difference this holiday season? Discover a few ways you can spread hope, joy, and cheer below.
United Disability Services Holiday Gift Wrap Booth
Join the UDS Foundation for their 55th year running their Holiday Gift Wrap Booth at Park City Center. Each year nearly 400 community volunteers come to support the gift-wrapping effort.
The Holiday Gift Wrap Booth is open from Black Friday until Christmas Eve, December 24. To volunteer, you must be at least 14 years old and complete a 13-minute training video prior to your first shift. Volunteer shifts are between 3 and 4 hours. The booth is open for wrapping Monday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Learn more about how you can become a Holiday Gift Wrapper today: https://uwlanc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1172422.
Toys for Tots
Everyone has seen a Toys for Tots donation drop box at some point this season, and they are still looking for toy donations to those in need. The organization asks for community members to drop new, unwrapped toys at Hajoca Lancaster located at 1418 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. They are open Monda-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
They ask that no used toys, realistic weapons, toys with candy or food, or any toys with chemicals such as lab sets, be donated. Learn more about how you can support Toys for Tots today: https://uwlanc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1175061.
Lancaster Rec’s Winter Carnival of Joy
Lancaster Rec is hosting their Winter Carnival of Joy on December 18, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Lancaster Rec Center located at 525 Fairview Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603. The carnival requires volunteers to help run crafts, games, winter activities, and serve seasonal treats for families and children of all ages.
Volunteer opportunities include Event Set-up Volunteer, General Event Volunteer, Event Activation Volunteer, and Event Breakdown Volunteers. Lancaster Rec is looking for 20 dedicated volunteers to help out this holiday season.
To learn more about the different volunteer roles and register to volunteer, visit https://uwlanc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1170494.
Lancaster Snow Angels
Join the Lancaster Snow Angels as they prepare to remove snow for veterans, seniors, individuals with mobility challenges and community members with special needs across Lancaster County. Volunteers with the organization would assist in cleaning driveways and sidewalks to keep our neighbors safe during the cold and snowy weather.
All supplies are provided to volunteers including shovels, salt, and a snow blower if needed. Volunteers get to choose the area they want to serve, how many addresses they can take on, and when they will be available in the event of winter weather.
Anyone 10 years of age or older is invited to volunteer; even families and teams of neighbors can come together to tackle the snow this winter. The only skill required is the ability to shovel snow. If you are interested in helping our neighbors in need this winter season, learn more on how to volunteer by visiting https://uwlanc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1174430.
Tenfold Winter Shelter
Help provide warmth, safety and compassion to our neighbors in need this winter by volunteering with the Tenfold Winter Shelter. The overnight winter shelter depends on dedicated volunteers to create a welcoming and supportive space for guests who need a place to stay during the coldest months of the year.
Tenfold is looking for morning and evening volunteers to assist with greeting guests, clean-up and restocking, bedding changes, and creating a calm, welcoming environment. The shelter is seeking volunteers 7 days a week between December 1 and March 1. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Learn more about Tenfold and their holiday volunteer opportunities by visiting https://uwlanc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1172504.
ECHOS Emergency Shelter
The ECHOS is looking for volunteers to make a difference this holiday season in the ECHOS Emergency Shelter. The shelter is open and operates from December 8 to April 10. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have completed their Pennsylvania State Clearances.
Volunteers assist the shelter by cooking meals, serving meals, cleaning, getting guests up in the morning, staying to support guests overnight, and much more. To learn about the various shelter volunteer opportunities ECHOS has this holiday season, visit https://uwlanc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1172677.
Going Beyond the Holidays
Making a difference in your community and the lives of our neighbors goes well beyond the holiday season. The United Way of Lancaster County Volunteer Center gives you the tools to explore volunteer opportunities from a variety of local nonprofit organizations. Whether you volunteer with a winter shelter or become an adult sports league coach, you can make a difference all year long.
