Opportunities From: Elkhart Helping Hearts

Volunteer for Art Walk Wednesdays- Be Part of the Creative Energy!

Looking for a fun way to give back, get moving, and enjoy some local flavor? Join us as a volunteer at Art Walk Wednesdays, happening on the last Wednesday of each month (June-September 2026) from 4:30 to 8:30 PM in downtown Elkhart! Sign up for a 2-hour shift, or volunteer for all 4; every little bit helps!

Volunteers will enjoy a variety of tasks that help bring this vibrant community event to life:

This is a great opportunity to get in some extra steps, meet our amazing local artists and shop owners, and soak in live music while helping make this event unforgettable.

Whether you're passionate about art, love meeting new people, or just want to experience Elkhart in a whole new way, we'd love to have you on the Art Walk team!

We're planting trees in the community! As part of our goal of planting 2,000 trees in the community by 2028, we're starting off strong and hoping to plant around 200 trees right out the gate. Join us at Roosevelt Park as we kick off the tree planting project and head out into the surrounding neighborhood to plant trees along the street. Hot dogs will be available for volunteers.

Get Your Hands Dirty for a Good Cause in 2026

Elkhart Parks & Recreation’s Root Crew is excited to host Community Green Days throughout 2026—hands-on, feel-good days dedicated to beautifying our local parks. On these planned service days, the Elkhart Parks & Recreation team provides all the tools, supplies, and guidance needed. All you need to bring is yourself, a few friends, and a passion for giving back to the places where you live and play.

Community Green Days are perfect for school groups, business teams, church groups, scouts, neighborhood associations, and anyone looking to make a positive impact together. These are open-house style events from 9 am to 3 pm, so you can drop in when it fits your schedule and stay as long as you’re able—every bit of help makes a difference.

Get outside, work alongside your community, and leave a lasting mark on our parks. Gather your friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors and sign up today to be part of something meaningful! 

Locations TBD

Help us prepare for our Free Fishing Clinic! We're giving away 400 rods/reels this year and we need help getting them all put together and ready for the big day. Drop by High Dive Pavilion any time between 12 PM - 5 PM to help--bring friends and family with you! 

No expertise or experience needed! We have experts on hand who are happy to teach!

Friday, June 5 is a backup day! If we do not finish prepping all the rods and reels on Thursday, June 4, we will be back on Friday. Please check our Facebook page for updates in case the Friday date is cancelled. 

Volunteers will teach kids about:

Examples and instructions are provided (see the basic tackle page below). Each station will be about 10 minutes. Orientation starts at 8:30 AM and will cover all of the stations so volunteers can see how each one fits together. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available.

Volunteers will teach kids about fishing regulations (e.g. size limits, bag limits, closed seasons, prohibited species).

Examples and instructions are provided (see the conservation page below). Each station will be about 10 minutes. Orientation starts at 8:30 AM and will cover all of the stations so volunteers can see how each one fits together. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available.

Volunteers at the fishing station will be helping to assemble fishing poles and assisting kids with fishing around the pond. We'd love to have some experienced fisherpeoples here to help the kiddos get a good start!

Each station will be about 10 minutes. Orientation starts at 8:30 AM. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available

After kids have completed all of their stations and received their fishing poles, we hope they'll stick around to fish in the pond! We'd like to have some volunteers near the pond to help them get a good start with whatever they might need assistance with--casting, baiting, releasing a catch, etc. 

Orientation starts at 8:30 AM. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available

Volunteers will teach kids basic fishing knots (e.g. improved clinch, uni, palomar).

Examples and instructions are provided (see the knot tying page below). Each station will be about 10 minutes. Orientation starts at 8:30 AM and will cover all of the stations so volunteers can see how each one fits together. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available

Volunteers will teach kids how to cast a spinning rod and will cover safety talking points (e.g. keep control of the hook at all times, look behind you when casting, etc.)

Examples and instructions are provided (see the casting page below). Each station will be about 10 minutes. Orientation starts at 8:30 AM and will cover all of the stations so volunteers can see how each one fits together. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available

Volunteers will teach kids about how to become good stewards of the environment (e.g. not leaving trash behind, limiting take, helping to stop the spread of invasive species, etc.) and how to safely handle the fish (e.g. keep fish in water if possible, keep fish horizontal while supporting the belly of the fish, etc.).

Examples and instructions are provided (see the stewardship page below). Each station will be about 10 minutes. Orientation starts at 8:30 AM and will cover all of the stations so volunteers can see how each one fits together. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available

We would love to be able to serve ALL members of our community with this event, but we need YOUR help! If you are comfortable translating between English and Spanish for our visitors, we would love assistance at the registration table and for families who need translations as they make their way around the different stations.

Each station will be about 10 minutes. An optional orientation starts at 8:30 AM and will cover all of the stations so volunteers can see how each one fits together. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please sign up for the Setup & General Helpers opportunity and leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available

Sign up here if you would like to help with:

For those helping during the event, we will pair you with the station that needs you the most. 

Examples and instructions are provided (see the stewardship page below). Each station will be about 10 minutes. Orientation starts at 8 AM and will cover all of the stations so volunteers can see how each one fits together. If you are not able to volunteer for the entire shift, please leave a note or send EEC staff an email (at EECmail@coei.org) to let us know when you're available.

The City of Elkhart Parks & Recreation is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to serve as docents at the historic High Dive Tower! This is a great opportunity to engage with the community, share interesting history, and help make our parks more welcoming. 

When?

Where?

Why Volunteer?

No prior experience is necessary - just a passion for community and history! Training will be provided. Sign up today or contact your Volunteer Coordinator, Mandi Null at 574-350-1817 or mandi.null@cityofelkhartin.gov

Want to kick off your Saturday with fresh air, community spirit, and the buzz of downtown Elkhart coming alive? Join us at the Elkhart Parks Farmer’s Market—voted Best Downtown Elkhart Activity!

As a Set-Up Volunteer, you’ll hang out with us from 7:30 am – 9:30 am and help bring the market to life:
    Pop-up tents, tables, and chairs
    Add those finishing touches with displays and accessories
    Greet vendors, point them to their spaces, and assist with check-in

After your shift, the market is yours to explore! Shop local goods, snag tasty treats, and soak in the atmosphere you helped create. 

    Bonus: Complete 5 volunteer shifts and score a FREE event shirt!

Be part of the energy. Be part of the market. Be part of Elkhart

Farmers Market Ambassador 

Love chatting with people, spreading good vibes, and making someone’s day? This role is for you! As a Farmers Market Ambassador, you’ll be the smiling face that greets guests at the market.

Here’s what you’ll do:
    Welcome guests with a friendly hello
    Share punch cards and help folks redeem prizes
    Keep the market experience fun, upbeat, and welcoming

The market runs from 9 am – 1 pm. Shifts are flexible in 2-hour increments—you choose how much time you’d like to give!

After your shift, wander the market to shop for goodies, taste local treats, and soak up the community atmosphere.

Bonus: Complete 5 volunteer shifts and earn a FREE event shirt!

Be the reason people love coming to the market

Farmers Market Wrap-Up Crew 

Short on time but big on impact? This is the perfect role for you! As a Wrap-Up Crew Volunteer, you’ll be the behind-the-scenes hero who helps the market end as smoothly as it begins.

Here’s what you’ll do:
    Take down directional signs around the market
    Fold up tents, tables, and chairs
    Carry supplies back to storage and load the shed

This shift is only about 1 hour and 15 minutes—just enough time to lend a hand without taking up your whole day. Plus, you can shop the market before your shift and enjoy all the fresh finds! 

Although this task is small, the impact is HUGE—your help keeps our market running smoothly week after week.

Bonus: Complete 5 volunteer shifts and earn a FREE event shirt!

Sign up today and join the Wrap-Up Crew that keeps the market shining!

Adopt-A-Garden with Elkhart Parks & Rec!
Whether you’re a party of one or a powerhouse crew of 100, you can make a real difference right here in Elkhart by adopting a park!

Adopt-A-Garden is all about park pride and stewardship. From planting seeds and pulling invasive plants to beautifying green spaces with a little elbow grease—every action, big or small, helps create a cleaner, greener, and more welcoming park for everyone.

 1-hour sessions or full-day projects—YOU choose the impact.
 It’s instantly rewarding—step back and see the change you made!
 Perfect for families, friend groups, coworkers, teams, clubs, and neighbors.
 Get ready for teamwork, smiles, and maybe even some friendly competition!

This program is open to all ages and abilities, and there are plenty of ways to get involved. We’ve already had adopters in the community create "free pick" gardens and teach others how to garden, all while building great relationships! 

Want to start your own ripple effect of community service and make a lasting impact? Let’s talk!
 Email: mandi.null@coei.org
 Call/Text: 574-350-1817

Adopt a garden. Grow your community. Be the difference.

Adopt-A-Park with Elkhart Parks & Rec!
Whether you’re a party of one or a powerhouse crew of 100, you can make a real difference right here in Elkhart by adopting a park!

Adopt-A-Park is all about park pride and stewardship. From picking up litter and pulling invasive plants to beautifying green spaces with a little elbow grease—every action, big or small, helps create a cleaner, greener, and more welcoming park for everyone.

 1-hour cleanups, park activation, or full-day projects—YOU choose the impact.
 It’s instantly rewarding—step back and see the change you made!
 Perfect for families, friend groups, coworkers, teams, clubs, and businesses.
 Get ready for teamwork, smiles, and maybe even some friendly competition!

This program is open to all ages and abilities, and there are plenty of ways to get involved. We’ve already got a growing list of groups who’ve stepped up—including companies who are adopting their second parks!

Want to start your own ripple effect of community service and make a lasting impact? Let’s talk!
 Email: mandi.null@coei.org
 Call/Text: 574-350-1817

Adopt a park. Grow your community. Be the difference.