“Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action.  These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” – Helen Dyer 

Volunteering is a beautiful way to give back to the community, and we're thrilled to have volunteers in the Greater Lafayette Area. Numerous opportunities are available, from serving on a board to assisting with one-time special events. If you're passionate about sports and want to make a difference in the lives of young people, consider coaching youth sports. Whatever your interests and skills are, there is a volunteer opportunity that is perfect for you. Donating your time can make our city a better and more welcoming place for everyone. Background checks are required for anyone volunteering with children or serving regularly. 

Campers, Childcare, and Clubhouse:

If you enjoy working with children, we welcome volunteers who can read to them, lead crafts, clean, and be guest speakers for afterschool and camp programs. Contact Haley Grizzle at hgrizzle@westlafayette.in.gov for more information. 

De-Trash the Wabash

We collaborate with multiple organizations to hold the De-Trash the Wabash event twice a year at Tapawingo Park. The event focuses on removing trash and restoring the Wabash River at various points around Tippecanoe County. Clean-up events are typically scheduled in April and October. Signing up is required.

Global Fest:

Hosted by the City of West Lafayette, the International Center of West Lafayette, and Purdue Convocations, Global Fest features cultural entertainment, food, and art from Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This one-day Global Fest celebrates world cultures through music, dance, crafts, displays, and international food. Continuous stage entertainment, cultural displays, and children's activities are among the free activities. We need volunteers to help with set up, clean up, trash detail, ticket sales, and more. Contact Kevin Noe at knoe@westlafayette.in.gov to sign up. 

Events: 

We host several large events annually, such as the Fall Festival, Spring Egg Hunt, Back to School Icecream Social. These events need a lot of volunteers to make them happen! Contact Mary Czaja-Casillas at mczaja-casillas@westlafayette.in.gov to sign up. 

Lilly Nature Center: 

A team of dedicated community volunteers are the backbone of the LNC and Celery Bog Nature Area. The LNC needs more volunteers who can help open the building and provide nature-based educational sessions to families who visit the center. They also seek volunteers to help with several community events, like Mind BOGgling and Storytime Walks. Celery Bog hosts frequent workdays to manage invasive plants and preserve its natural beauty. Contact Kyle Gebhart at kgebhart@westlafayette.in.gov for more information. 

Parks and Greenspace:

If you enjoy helping to plant flowers and mulch community spaces, we would love to have you volunteer to keep our parks and green spaces beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Contact John Muller at jmuller@westlafayette.in.gov to learn more about park and greenspace projects needing volunteers. 

Tree Friends: 

The West Lafayette Tree Friends is a volunteer organization that collaborates with the City to take care of and prune trees located within the City's right of way. They are looking for volunteers to assist with pruning, cleaning up, distributing door hangers, and participating in community events. Visit the WL Tree Friends website for more information. 

Youth Sports:

The John R. Dennis Center is looking for volunteers to help with youth basketball and soccer programs. They need coaches, referees, and scorekeepers. Email wellness@westlafayette.in.gov to learn more about volunteer opportunities with youth sports. 

If your organization is looking to volunteer for a team-building exercise or you're seeking to host an Eagle Scout project, please contact Heather Witt at hwitt@westlafayette.in.org. Please note that large projects and hosting service groups require weeks, if not months, of planning and execution to ensure they are carried out correctly. Some projects may require approval from the Park Board. 

If you need more information on volunteer opportunities, feel free to email us at wlparks@westlafayette.in.gov with the subject line "Volunteering." We will be sure to pass along your request to the appropriate person.