Needs From: Heart of Illinois Volunteers

Volunteer: Bruch with Santa at Peoria Zoo

Join us for a festive day at the Santa Brunch and help make the season merry and bright! Volunteers will assist Zoo staff in creating a warm and welcoming holiday experience for our guests.

Volunteers will assist Zoo staff in serving brunch to guests, ensuring food and beverages are replenished throughout the event. Help bus tables and maintain a clean and tidy dining area. Assist with event setup before guests arrive and cleanup after the event concludes.

This is a great opportunity to spread holiday cheer, gain event experience, and be part of a fun community tradition!

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join us for a festive day at the Santa Brunch and help make the season merry and bright! Volunteers will assist Zoo staff in creating a warm and welcoming holiday experience for our guests.

Volunteers will assist Zoo staff in serving brunch to guests, ensuring food and beverages are replenished throughout the event. Help bus tables and maintain a clean and tidy dining area. Assist with event setup before guests arrive and cleanup after the event concludes.

This is a great opportunity to spread holiday cheer, gain event experience, and be part of a fun community tradition!

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Dec 6, 2025

Zip Code: 61603

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2025 Annual Turkey Trot

Join us for “The Oldest Race in the Peoria Area!” the 54th annual Peoria Turkey Trot! Sunday, November 23, 2025. The race will run rain, shine or snow! Volunteers with assist with set up, tear down, and at the finish line taking runners times. Race takes place at Detweiller Park.   

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join us for “The Oldest Race in the Peoria Area!” the 54th annual Peoria Turkey Trot! Sunday, November 23, 2025. The race will run rain, shine or snow! Volunteers with assist with set up, tear down, and at the finish line taking runners times. Race takes place at Detweiller Park.   

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Nov 23, 2025

Zip Code: 61615

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: HISRA Gameday Basketball Tournament

Come out and help support the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) Basketball Tournament!
We're looking for volunteers to assist with score tables, concessions, and general event support throughout the day.

We're also in need of basketball referees to help officiate games. If you have experience in this area, please note it when you sign up so we can assign you to a game.

Your time and enthusiasm help make this event a success — we'd love to have you join us!

Organization: Peoria Park District

Come out and help support the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) Basketball Tournament!
We're looking for volunteers to assist with score tables, concessions, and general event support throughout the day.

We're also in need of basketball referees to help officiate games. If you have experience in this area, please note it when you sign up so we can assign you to a game.

Your time and enthusiasm help make this event a success — we'd love to have you join us!

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61614

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: Environmental Restoration Workdays: Forest Park Nature Center

Restoration Workdays are designed to help remove invasive plant species that interfere with the native habitat in our parks. This is an important step in maintaining a healthy environment in our parks and community. Plant removal is done through cutting with hand tools and/ or hand pulling when possible. This is a hands-on task and requires volunteers to be able to bend, carry tools, traverse uneven terrain, and in some cases walk long distances.
*12/2 date we will be picking up trash along the hillside while the road is closed for it's monthly maintenance work. 


Close toed shoes are required, long pants are preferred, but are optional. Please bring a water bottle and work gloves. We will provide work gloves if needed.

Meet in the parking lot.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Restoration Workdays are designed to help remove invasive plant species that interfere with the native habitat in our parks. This is an important step in maintaining a healthy environment in our parks and community. Plant removal is done through cutting with hand tools and/ or hand pulling when possible. This is a hands-on task and requires volunteers to be able to bend, carry tools, traverse uneven terrain, and in some cases walk long distances.
*12/2 date we will be picking up trash along the hillside while the road is closed for it's monthly maintenance work. 


Close toed shoes are required, long pants are preferred, but are optional. Please bring a water bottle and work gloves. We will provide work gloves if needed.

Meet in the parking lot.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61615

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2025 Rocky Glen Restoration Workday

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Sunday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Bring gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience.  For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354 Park at the Rocky Glen Parking Lot

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Sunday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Bring gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience.  For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354 Park at the Rocky Glen Parking Lot

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61604

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2025 Horseshoe Bottoms Restoration Workday

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Saturday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred.  Horseshoe Bottoms: Meet at the West end of St. Mary's Cemetery. Drive all the way to the far back west side. For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join these restoration workdays on the 1st Saturday of every month at 9am to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred.  Horseshoe Bottoms: Meet at the West end of St. Mary's Cemetery. Drive all the way to the far back west side. For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61604

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2025 Donovan Park Restoration Workday

Join these restoration workdays on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1pm to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred. Meet in the Donovan Park parking lot.For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join these restoration workdays on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1pm to meet new people, learn about native (and non-native) flora and fauna, have fun, and get some exercise! Tools are provided, but bring work gloves and water and dress appropriately for an outdoor experience. Closed toe shoes and required and long pants are preferred. Meet in the Donovan Park parking lot.For question related to the weather and workday cancellation, please call David Pittman 309-573-2354

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61614

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2025 Winter Wonderland

Glen Oak Park will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, and will have special events going on at the Peoria PlayHouse, Peoria Zoo and Luthy Botanical Gardens. Volunteers will be needed to assist at these locations and throughout Glen Oak Park to assist patrons attending our Winter Wonderland Event.



Organization: Peoria Park District

Glen Oak Park will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, and will have special events going on at the Peoria PlayHouse, Peoria Zoo and Luthy Botanical Gardens. Volunteers will be needed to assist at these locations and throughout Glen Oak Park to assist patrons attending our Winter Wonderland Event.



Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Dec 13, 2025

Zip Code: 61603

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 2025 Luthy Lights

Join us for Luthy Lights!
Experience the magic of an illuminated garden filled with themed light scenes, festive food and beverages, live music, and the beautiful holiday display of poinsettias in the Conservatory.

Volunteers will assist Luthy Botanical Garden staff with event activities such as maintaining outdoor fire pits, helping at the s'mores station, assisting at the photo booth, and greeting guests as they arrive.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Join us for Luthy Lights!
Experience the magic of an illuminated garden filled with themed light scenes, festive food and beverages, live music, and the beautiful holiday display of poinsettias in the Conservatory.

Volunteers will assist Luthy Botanical Garden staff with event activities such as maintaining outdoor fire pits, helping at the s'mores station, assisting at the photo booth, and greeting guests as they arrive.

Organization: Peoria Park District

Need Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 61603

Allow Groups: Yes