Interested in volunteering with us for One Winter Night? There are various opportunities for you to get involved. Check out the different roles and their descriptions below!
Week of Set Up
This is an excellent opportunity for groups who would like to volunteer together!
Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.
Box Dweller Registration
Being a Box Dweller Registration Volunteer is an excellent opportunity to meet and thank the individuals and groups who have agreed to sacrifice some earthly comforts for 12 hours in order to help spread awareness about homelessness!
For this very important position, you will be responsible for the entire 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm shift. If you are not able to be here for any part of this shift, we ask that you chose a different volunteer opportunity.
On-site training for this position will be provided promptly at 3:30 pm. You will be instructed on the box dweller registration process, and each aspect of the event from the evening through the early morning. each volunteer will be given information about the most frequently asked questions so that you are able to be a knowledgeable resource for Box Dwellers!
Box Dweller Registration Volunteers are responsible for enthusiastically greeting our Box Dwellers and making sure they have all of the information and materials they need to be successful. This is a very important aspect of this role, as some of our box dwellers are brand new and may be anxious about their experience.
Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.
Volunteer Registration
Brief Training will be provided upon arrival. Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.
Street Team and WCIA Drive-Thru Donation Station
Street Team and WCIA Drive Thru
Volunteers will be needed to man the WCIA Drive-Thru donation station located at 509 S. Neil in Champaign. Others will be assigned to our "Street Team," which involves collecting donations offered by people walking around downtown or in passing vehicles.
The majority of your shift will be spent outside, so please dress accordingly (hand and foot warmers particularly helpful)!. All volunteers will be required to wear a neon-colored vest (that will be provided) over their clothing for visibility and safety.
Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.
Hospitality
The Hospitality Volunteers will work through the night ensuring that the snacks are stocked and that there is plenty of coffee and hot water available. They will also be responsible for maintaining bathroom cleanliness and making sure we are stocked with paper goods and soap.
Brief training will be provided upon arrival. Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.
Indoor/Outdoor Set Up
Indoor: On the day of the event, we will need a team of people to help us set up the inside of our event headquarters - making sure all tables are set up with proper registration materials, all indoor signs are up, and any other miscellaneous things that may need to get done before the event begins that evening.
Outdoor: On the day of the event, we will need a team of people to help move and set up tables, chairs, and help put up event signage.
This is an excellent opportunity for groups who would like to volunteer together!
Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.
Donation Collection
Training will be provided upon arrival for your shift. Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.
Event Tear Down
Tear Down Volunteers will be responsible for taking down the chairs and tables around the event, taking down the event signage, cleaning up any garbage left behind and making sure the city looks great! Some volunteers will be responsible for cleaning up event headquarters as well. This will include breaking down the tables and chairs inside, cleaning the bathrooms and the snack areas and vacuuming.
This is not a particularly glamorous volunteer position, but it is VERY important!
Please report to OWN headquarters.
Security
We are in need of several individuals who will be our "eyes and ears" for the duration of the event. Our security volunteers will roam the event area and keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. An especially important time for security volunteers is between the hours of 12am to 3am or "bar close". We need several extra security volunteers looking out for our box dwellers as the bars and restaurants close for the evening. Brief training will be provided upon arrival.
Please report to OWN headquarters.
Volunteer Liability Forms
Please read, print out, and sign the appropriate liability form and bring with you to your volunteer shift!