For more information or to become a Cheerful Givers Volunteer, please contact  karen@cheerfulgivers.org.

Inkind Donations Coordinator
Assist in reaching 2012 goal of securing $1 milllion of inkind donations (toys and items for
kids ages 3-12) through email requests (no phone calls). Maintain master list of prospects and send regularly scheduled email requests and follow up. All done from your own location (home or office) with very flexible hours.  Must be detail-oriented with good organization and communication skills, accurate record keeping and experience with excel spreadsheets.

Pencil Collector
All you need to do is collect new pencils (any type) from friends, families or local organizations might want to hold a pencil drive. All pencils will be included in birthday gift bags for children living in poverty on their birthday. Send pencils to: Cheerful Givers, 1287 Berry Ridge Rd, Eagan, MN 55123.

 Online Auction Coordinator
Help to make our April online auction a success by contacting via email  a variety of stores, restaurants, etc. requesting gift cards.  No phone calls.  We provide the list of contacts and email copy.  You track results on excel spreadsheet.  Work from your home with flexible hours.

Operation Birthday Child
Organize any size group to host “Operation Birthday Child” for a day or week. Can be done at any time at your own location. Simply ask group members to donate one gift bag filled with an assortment of small new toys for kids ages 3-12, such as balls, puzzles, stickers, crayons, etc. as well as candy treats. Or if they prefer, they can donate $10 and we will do the shopping.

After you have collected all of the birthday bags, take them to a local food shelf or shelter and let us know how many bags you donated (contact karen@cheerfulgivers.org). If you have more than 100 bags in the Twin Cities area, we can arrange pick up. Each birthday bag will allow one parent to be able to recognize their child’s birthday. This is an easy way for groups or families to support the community and doesn’t cost a lot.

Inkind Donations Assistant
Assist in online research to find prospective inkind donors of toys and items for our birthday bags.

Program Assistant
Assist on various projects such as  online research, follow-ups, etc. Work from your home/office about 4 hours per week with a flexible schedule. Would like minimum six-month commitment.

Host a Birthday Bag Blitz
Any group (civic, corporate, church, school, family or friends) can hold a Birthday Bag Blitz to provide birthday gift bags for less fortunate children. Group assembles birthday bags by placing 8-10 items in each gift bag. The Blitz is held at your location (home, office, etc.) whenever convenient for you. Group must provide gift bags and new toys for kids ages 3-12 and deliver bags to a nearby shelter or food shelf. If more than 100 bags are filled (within Minnesota), we can arrange for pick-up. This is a unique, fun activity for all ages! All we require is that you let us know how many birthday bags you filled and where you donated them.

Toy Donations
Provide items needed for birthday gift bags. Use your network to hold toy drives or get items donated from various organizations. Needed items include new small plush toys, books, crayons, coloring books, puzzles, whistles, cards or any new toys for kids ages 3-12.

Spread the Word
*  Ask your contacts to donate $10 online at www.cheerfulgivers.org (the cost of a birthday gift bag for one child). Ask them to forward request to others using emails, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.
*  Plan a birthday party and instead of buying gifts, ask each person to make a donation in honor of the birthday person..
*  Ask your favorite local stores, restaurants or businesses to host a “Cheerful Givers Day” and donate a portion of their proceeds or have them collect donations from customers.”
*  Implement creative fundraising ideas

Grant Researcher/Writer
Assist in researching grant funding possibilities and draft grant applications. Use the web to find new sources of potential income for Cheerful Givers and draft applications. Work from your home/office with flexible schedule.

Party Planners
Plan and host a party in your home. Encourage guests to provide snacks and try to get a local celebrity or entertainer to participate. Take about ten minutes at the party to tell the Cheerful Givers story and encourage donations. We provide information and “I’m A Cheerful Giver” stickers.

Blog & Newsletter Assistant Writers
Help to research and write articles for our e-newsletter and blog. Creative ideas are welcome!

Raise Funds For Birthday Gifts
Use your contacts or skills to raise $ for our unique nonprofit or implement a fundraising event. Work from your home/office with flexible schedule.

Volunteer Recruiter
Attend volunteer fairs and post our volunteer opportunities on various sites.