Need more ideas this holiday season? Enjoy Breakfast with Santa and More Holiday Characters in Orlando to start Christmas off right. Then of course, hit up one of the excellent Must-Do Orlando Christmas and Holiday Events for 2022!

Cereal4All is all about getting breakfast and happiness to those who need it most. Photo courtesy Cereal4All

Volunteer in Orlando: Make and Donate Food

Cereal4All

Students of any age are encouraged to become ambassadors and start a cereal drive at their school. In 2016, brothers Jett and Luke Justin of South Florida started Cereal4All in elementary school! This is a great way for young people to get involved, asking classmates to bring in boxes of cereal. Parents can help by handling marketing and logistics, and teachers can offer incentives to the class that collects the most boxes.

Infinite Zion Farms

Infinite Zion Farms aims to provide organic food to urban parts of Central Florida, while also providing nutritional education. Orlando volunteers, young and old, become gardeners and check for weeds, add matter to compost piles, and trim bushes and trees. This farm is a great way to get kids off their phones and see how food is grown and distributed to local food markets.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida relies on volunteers to help people facing hunger. Photo courtesy of the organization

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

A member of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank distributes food to over 600 non-profit organizations to seven Central Florida counties. Volunteers are always needed to sort, pack, and collect food. Children as young as 10 may volunteer in a Second Harvest Food Bank location with an adult chaperone. Teens 16 and older may volunteer without a chaperone.

Thanksgiving Meal Packing

The Salvation Army supports a wide spectrum of programs. Come out and spend Thanksgiving morning packing Thanksgiving meals for families in need. The fun happens Thursday, November 24, 9:30am-noon at 3001 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32835.

Volunteer in Orlando: Get Moving!

Jingle Bell Run Orlando

Hosted by the Arthritis Foundation in Baldwin Park on December 10, the Jingle Bell Run is a holiday tradition with races all over the country,. Anyone can participate by walking or running in this 5K (wearing a holiday costume is encouraged!), but there a variety of other opportunities to help: decorations, water stations, and the Kids' Zone. Cheer areas are great for any age! High schoolers in need of service hours are welcome.

Candy Cane 5K

Benefiting Boys Town Central Florida, the Candy Cane 5K takes place on Saturday, December 10 at 8am at Central Winds Park in Winter Park. Holiday volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks to make this event a success! There is a kids fun run after the 5K. Boys Town works to help prevent child abuse and assists at-risk youth.

Turkey Trot

This turkey trot is a great way to start your Thanksgiving holiday! Starting at 7:30am, participants can run or walk in this event to raise awareness for homelessness. Entry fee is donated canned goods or non-perishable foods. This event takes place in Lake Butler.

Volunteer in Orlando: More Holiday Opportunities

Drawchange

Founded in Atlanta, GA, Drawchange now has initiatives extending beyond the Southeast, to other parts of the country and the world. This organization intends to connect impoverished and homeless children with opportunities to engage in art. The Orlando chapter specifically needs after-school volunteers on Wednesdays to assist in supplying materials and offering creative guidance to children as they create. The organization is also in need of art therapists, musicians, and other professionals to help manage the organization.

Glamourgals Foundation

Glamourgirls is a great opportunity for high school girls; the organization seeks to combat elder isolation by connecting adolescent girls with senior women in nursing homes. Through conversations and activities, like makeovers, seniors feel an increased sense of community and adolescent girls develop leadership skills through compassion.

Howell Branch Preserve Cleanup

One of the many community events of Keep Winter Park Beautiful and Sustainable, the Howell Branch Preserve Cleanup is a good volunteer opportunity for kids of all ages. This event takes place Saturday, December 10 from 9-11am at 1205 Howell Branch Road in Winter Park.

Stop by a Salvation Army Angel Tree and adopt an angel at locations throughout Orlando or online. Photo courtesy of Salvation Army

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Salvation Army volunteer opportunities range from sponsoring a tree to collecting and donating toys. Children of any age can help pick out a toy for a child that's their own age. This is a great opportunity to discuss gratitude and generosity with your kiddos.

Toys for Tots Florida

Another great organization helping families in need of Christmas magic, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation collects toys all over the U.S. Orlando volunteers can host a collection site, organize a toy drive, or donate toys individually.

There are many more volunteer opportunities in Central Florida, during the holiday season and throughout the year. Contact organizations like the Heart of Florida United Way to connect your family with worthwhile groups that could use lots of help!