Needs From: United Way of the Lakeshore

Are you someone who likes to work behind the scenes? We need help do the shopping for our angels this year. You'll choose toys for each angel based on age and interests from our toy staging area. We have over 1,000 angels in need this year. Shoppers are needed from 10am to Noon and 1pm to 3pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays December 5-16, 2025.

Please note if Orchard View Schools are closed due to weather on the day/s, you are volunteering so are we. 

Can you stay in the Christmas spirit and keep recipients on a tight timeline? Santa's Helpers are needed to walk with recipients through the Chapel to pick out stocking stuffers, books, hats etc. with a maximum of 5 minutes to make selections.  Once selections are made, you will walk them out the back of the Chapel to the Gym to pick up their pre shopped gifts for their family.  Once dropped off, you will return to the Check In and get a new recipient!   December 17-18, 2025

Can you stay cheery in the midst of the cold and busyness of the season? Santa's Reindeer are needed to bring angel gifts from our building out to recipient vehicles. Once the gifts are checked for accuracy, you will offer to take the bag/s out to the car with a grocery cart.  Place them in the vehicle and wish the recipient a Merry Christmas.  Come back in to help the next recipient. 

Please bundle up and bring a hat and gloves.  Be sure to wear your winter boots too! December 17-18, 2025

Do you enjoy looking for names/numbers and checking them twice?? Santa's Elves are needed in the gym to pull the pre shopped bag/s for each recipient.  Once located you will have the recipient check that they have gifts for each child in their bag/s and sign their sheet. Once the gifts are checked for accuracy, you hand them off to Santa's Reindeer for assistance out of the building. December 17-18, 2025

Description:
Help spread holiday cheer to local working families! Volunteers are needed to support United Way of the Lakeshore’s Adopt a Working Family program throughout November and December. This program connects community donors with working families in need of extra help during the holidays.

There are many ways to get involved—volunteers may:

Deliver gifts to families in the community.

Pick up gifts from adopters and bring them to our office.

Assist adopters in the office by checking in gifts and labeling them for delivery or pickup.

Sort and organize wrapping supplies and stocking stuffers.

Call families to confirm pickup and delivery details.

Help with other tasks as needed to ensure a smooth and joyful holiday season for all!

When you sign up, you’re expressing your interest in helping with the program. A member of our staff will reach out beginning in November to assign roles and schedule volunteer shifts based on your availability and interests.

Requirements & Notes:

Volunteers should have a friendly, compassionate attitude and be comfortable working with the public.

If you are able to drive (for pickups and deliveries), please note that in the Comments/notes section when signing up.

Please also share any accommodations or accessibility needs so we can provide a positive volunteer experience.

Location:
United Way of the Lakeshore Office (and throughout the community)
31 E Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442

Timing:
Volunteer shifts will be available throughout November and December. Specific dates and times will be scheduled individually.

Description:
Help make the holidays brighter for a local working family! United Way of the Lakeshore’s Adopt a Working Family program connects community donors with hardworking ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, and Employed) families who could use a little extra support this holiday season.

By signing up, you’re expressing your interest in adopting a family this year. Once matched, you’ll receive your family’s profile, including their story, ages of family members, and gift wishes or needs. Donors purchase gifts for each family member (about $75-150 per person is suggested) and are encouraged to include wrapping supplies and small extras such as gift cards or stocking stuffers.

Please note that wrapping gifts is not recommended — instead, include wrapping paper and supplies with your donation.

All gifts must be delivered to United Way of the Lakeshore by December 18, where our team will coordinate pickup or delivery to families in time for the holidays.

How It Works:

Sign up here to express your interest in adopting a family.

A member of our staff will contact you in November to match you with a family and provide all details.

Shop for your family’s gifts and deliver them to our office by the deadline.

Requirements & Notes:

Gifts should be new and unwrapped.

We suggest spending about $75-150 per person as a starting point, but all levels of giving are appreciated.

Gift cards for family experiences (movies, bowling, restaurants) are wonderful additions.

Please include wrapping supplies with your donation.

Deliver gifts by Wednesday, December 18, 2025.

Location:
United Way of the Lakeshore
31 E Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442

Timing:
Matches will begin in November. Gifts are due by December 18, 2025.

Do you like to organize, clean and stack? Once all the gifts are passed out, we need to close the toy shop down for the year. We are looking for volunteers on Friday, December 19, 2025, to help us make sure an unused toys, boxes and stocking stuffers are put away for 2026!

Lunch will be provided. 

Do you enjoy looking for names/numbers and checking them twice?? Two individuals are needed On Friday, December 19, 2025, to work in the reception area to assist with pulling pre shopped bag/s from the gym for recipients who missed their pickup date.  Once located you will have the recipient check that they have gifts for each child in their bag/s and sign their sheet and help them to their car if needed.

Be sure to dress for the weather. Lunch will be provided.

Volunteer Bell Ringers need to sign up at www.registertoring.com it lists our volunteer ringer locations in two-hour shifts from November 15 through December 24.  The funds raised through bell ringing help to keep our programs going throughout the year.  Every cent made at the kettles in Muskegon County stay here in our county. Your help is greatly appreciated!