Holiday volunteering with kids
Find an Orange County shift your youngest can join, or pick a project to do at home.
Nov–Dec 2026 · Checked
Before you head out, check the organizer’s link for a spot and any waiver or chaperone rules. Times are Pacific.
Thanksgiving volunteering
Pack groceries ahead of time or help on Thanksgiving Day.
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Families Forward Thanksgiving shifts
Mid-November · 1½–2 hours
Sort groceries, pack meal bags or help hand them out at 8 Thomas. Children need a supervising adult, and each volunteer needs a waiver. Ask about remaining shifts.
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Serve the People Thanksgiving Celebration
Thu, Nov 26 · Morning and afternoon
Help with setup, activities or cleanup at 1206 E. 17th St. The form lists 6:30–10:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 2–5 p.m. Volunteers through age 17 need a parent or adult guardian.
December volunteering
Sort gifts, help at winter camp or place remembrance wreaths.
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Families Forward Holiday Wish
Early December to Christmas week · 1½–2 hours
Help sort, organize or distribute gifts at 8 Thomas. Children need a supervising adult, and each volunteer needs a waiver. Ask about a family shift.
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Anaheim Family YMCA Holiday Toy Drive
Wed, Dec 16 or Mon, Dec 21
Sort donated toys, check in families or help at the toy tables. Ages 14–17 need an adult. The listing shows a full-day block for each date and says shorter help is welcome. Confirm your hours with the YMCA.
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Wreaths Across America
Sat, Dec 19 · 9 a.m. ceremonies
Families can place remembrance wreaths at veterans’ graves after the ceremonies at Santa Ana Cemetery and El Toro Memorial Park. The national organizer welcomes volunteers of all ages. Check your cemetery’s instructions before going.
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Anaheim Family YMCA Winter Camp
Mon, Dec 21 · 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Help lead activities and support kids at winter camp. The YMCA lists a Dec 21 shift for youth activities assistants.
Outdoor and year-round shifts
Beach cleanups, farm shifts and more ways to help.
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Orange County Coastkeeper cleanups
Nov 7, 8, 14 · Dec 5, 12
Pick up litter at Calafia Beach on Nov 7 or Dec 5, Huntington State Beach on Nov 14 or Dec 12, or the Santa Ana–Delhi Channel in Costa Mesa on Nov 8. The listed cleanups run 9–11 a.m. Register each participant and check meeting and parking details.
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Upper Newport Bay Habitat Stewards
Sat, Nov 21 or Dec 5 · 9–11 a.m.
Help remove invasive plants, plant natives or tend the butterfly garden. A legal guardian must stay with volunteers age 16 and younger. Tools are provided. The program and parking are free.
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Second Harvest farm shifts
Choose a calendar shift
Plant, harvest or care for crops. For ages 7–15, bring a chaperone who is at least 21. Use the youth request form and wait for the volunteer team to confirm each minor.
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Second Harvest Distribution Center
Choose a calendar shift
Help sort produce for distribution. The youth policy requires a chaperone age 21+ for ages 13–15. Check the rules for the specific shift and submit a youth request for anyone under 18.
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Bolsa Chica Conservancy wetland restoration
Monthly · 9 a.m.–noon
Work on wetland habitat at Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park. An adult must supervise children under 14. The regular schedule is the last Saturday of the month. Check with the conservancy for holiday-weekend dates.
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Families Forward Family Volunteer Nights
Ask for the next family night
Ask about a Family Volunteer Night designed for younger kids. Families Forward’s Thanksgiving and Holiday Wish packing shifts have a separate 10+ age rule.
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Ronald McDonald House Meals of Love
Reserve a group slot
Cook, bake or prep snacks for families staying at the house. Anyone under 18 needs adult supervision. The booking page explains the options and what to bring.
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Someone Cares Soup Kitchen
Regular shifts · Ask about holiday hours
Help prep or serve meals. Check the kitchen’s volunteer instructions for the day you want.
At-home projects and drop-offs
Collect, sort or pack together. Some projects need new supplies.
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Collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House
Year-round
Set out a container for aluminum pop tabs. Bring your collection to the Orange County House at 383 S. Batavia St. The house recycles the tabs to support its programs.
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Families Forward food and gift drives
Food by Nov 16 · Gifts by Dec 8
Let kids sort groceries from the Thanksgiving wish list or choose a new holiday gift. Use the program page for drop-off instructions.
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Orange County Fire Authority Holiday Toy Drive
Nov 28–Dec 24
Bring new, unwrapped toys to an OCFA fire station or headquarters. Some cities have their own fire departments. Use the station finder on the drive page.
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Friendly Center Thanksgiving Food Drive
Mon, Nov 23 drop-off
Collect requested pantry staples and Thanksgiving ingredients. Pick a drop-off appointment at one of the two locations.
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Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa and Friends
Holiday drop boxes from mid-November
Collect new, unwrapped gifts for children, teens or older adults using the county’s lists. The county’s on-site volunteer shifts are 18+.
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Irvine Marine Battalion Holiday Toy Drive
Through Dec 12
Donate a new, unwrapped gift for an infant or a child up to age 12. Irvine Civic Center has drive-through drop-offs Dec 6 and 12, 9 a.m.–noon.
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OC Family Justice Center Foundation Adopt-a-Family
Dec 7–10 drop-off
Choose a household size, shop from its wish list and wrap the gifts together. Register through the foundation and confirm availability.
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Human Options Adopt A Family
Sign up by Nov 17 · Gifts due Dec 15
Shop and wrap gifts together for a family rebuilding after abuse. The organizer lists drop-off at its Irvine office.
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Friendly Center Toy and Gift Drive
Weekdays, Dec 1–18 · By appointment
Collect new, unwrapped gifts from the age-based wish lists. Choose your location and available time through the 2026 booking form.
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CAP OC Hope for the Holidays
Seasonal · Contact to reserve a drive
Organize a neighborhood collection of nonperishable food or sign up to adopt a family. CAP OC asks groups to reserve their food drive dates.
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Orange County United Way Kid Mini Kits
Drop-off weekdays · 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fill small bags with new activity and comfort items. Use the organizer’s supply list and check holiday hours before dropping them off.
More holiday roles to ask about
Ask the organizer about minimum ages before you make plans.
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Dana Point Turkey Trot
Wed, Nov 25 and Thu, Nov 26
Check in runners, hand out medals or help at a water station. Ask the race organizer which roles can accommodate your child.
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OC Dream Center Christmas Hope Festival
Sat, Dec 12 · 10 a.m.–2 p.m. event
The volunteer form asks if you’re bringing anyone under 18. Ask for an age-appropriate assignment and confirm your shift time and location.
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Orange County Rescue Mission Christmas Day Celebration
Fri, Dec 25
The mission lists volunteer opportunities at its Christmas Day celebrations. Email the volunteer team to confirm which site, shifts and ages they can accommodate.