Volunteers

There will be several opportunities available for helping to set up the event this year.  A week before the event, we will need some help for a few hours every evening to prep box dweller bags, make street team signs, organize event signage, and get the word out to the businesses and restaurants in the Downtown Area.

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.

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.

The Volunteer Registration position is a great volunteer opportunity for those who love talking to people!  Volunteer Registration Volunteers are responsible for greeting and checking in our 250 (!) volunteers at the beginning of their shift. This group of volunteers will collect liability waivers, explain the order of events, and make sure each volunteer or volunteer group knows who their "Team Captains" are and where their location is.

Brief Training will be provided upon arrival.  Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.

The Street Team is a perfect volunteer opportunity for group volunteers and those who are energetic and enthusiastic!  Street Team members are responsible for creating a "buzz" in Downtown Champaign.  This year, there will be designated "Street Team Areas" on  specific blocks and corners throughout downtown.  Volunteers will wave signs, distribute information about homelessness, and direct traffic and pedestrians as to where they can donate.

The Street Team will spend the majority of their shift outside, so please dress accordingly!  (Many of our Street Team volunteers find 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.

This is the perfect volunteer opportunity for all of those care-takers out there!  Hospitality Volunteers will maintain the "snack area" at our event headquarters.  Throughout the evening, volunteers and box dwellers will have the opportunity to warm up inside and grab a snack and a cup of coffee or hot cocoa.

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: 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, box-areas 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.

Do you love money?  Are you good at counting?  Volunteer to be a part of the Donation Collection Team! Donation Collection Volunteers will be stationed at various locations in Downtown Champaign that are designated as "donation collection areas". Volunteers will be responsible for collecting donations and providing the necessary receipts and paperwork as requested.

Training will be provided upon arrival for your shift.  Please report to the volunteer registration area located at OWN event headquarters.

Tear Down is another opportunity for groups who would like to volunteer together, or for those who cannot make it on Friday. We need a group of people bright and early on Saturday morning, from 7:00 am to 10:00 am to help break down the event.

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.

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.