Volunteers get the job done

Eden Prairie thrives with an impressive array of nearly 80 nonprofit and civic organizations, each contributing in remarkable ways to our community. With that much activity, it can be difficult to keep track of exactly who is doing what. To address this, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation (EPCF) has established The HUB—a comprehensive directory encompassing all these diverse organizations.

The HUB serves as a resource for residents, directing them to local assistance programs for essential needs such as food and clothing. Moreover, it serves as a gateway to discover meaningful opportunities for community engagement and service. Whether you find yourself in a position where you require assistance or you’re eager to make a positive impact, The HUB is your starting point—an all-encompassing platform that connects you with the support and involvement you seek.

A small team of Foundation volunteers serve as HUB ambassadors to local nonprofits. Each ambassador develops relationships with 6-8 organizations and serves as a bridge between the nonprofits and EPCF. Ambassadors listen to the needs of the organizations and hear what is going on in the community. They strengthen the Foundation’s support of nonprofits and create connections among Eden Prairie’s many nonprofit organizations. If your organization wishes to be included in The HUB, contact EPCF executive director Greg Leeper at gregleeper@epcommunityfoundation.org

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) has recently partnered with the EPCF HUB ambassadors to establish a collaboration aimed at enhancing the volunteer landscape in Eden Prairie. Local nonprofits are excited for a new opportunity to get the word out about their volunteer needs. Vicki Bomben, operations manager at the PROP Shop, writes, “This is a great initiative; thank you!”

We invite you to explore the following list of volunteer requests for the upcoming summer of 2023 and consider joining forces with these local organizations. Volunteers make things happen!

Volunteer needs for Summer 2023, in alphabetical order.

Eden Prairie Community Band
The Eden Prairie Community Band is an adult community band of over 60 musicians. The group is currently looking for website assistance.

Website manager
Dates – June through August and beyond
Details – Ages 16 and up. Graphic arts, website design and management. Experience with WordPress or other online content tool

Limited, one-time, single webpage creator
There is also an urgent need for help to create a page on the website for the 50th Anniversary Celebration if you’re more interested in a limited commitment.
Dates – Immediate
Details – Ages 16 and up. Graphic arts, website design and management. Experience with WordPress or other online content tool
Contact – Joanne Bartel, jbartelpt@aol.com

Eden Prairie Community Education
Volunteers are needed to help with distributing bags of food for the weekly Summer Food for Kids Program.
Dates – Thursdays, 3:45-6:15 p.m.
Details – Outside Door 4 of the district office’s Historic Gym at 8100 School Road (drive-up model). Ideally, to protect the privacy of recipients, volunteers would not have children in Eden Prairie Schools.
Contact – Olivia Antilla, olivia_antilla@edenpr.k12.mn.us

Eden Prairie Players
Eden Prairie Players strives to inspire residents and artists by creating quality theater opportunities in the community. The Eden Prairie Players are performing The Addams Family musical this summer. Volunteers are needed to greet audience members and hand out programs.
Dates – Friday through Sunday, June 16-18 and Thursday through Sunday, June 22-25. 6:00 p.m. arrival. The show starts at 7:00 p.m.
Details – Ages 14 and up. Staring Lake Amphitheatre in Staring Lake Park
Sign up  – Sign Up Genius
Contact – Message David Durkee here.

HopeKids Minnesota
HopeKids provides ongoing events, activities, and a support community for families who have a child with cancer or other life-­threatening medical condition. Help with the annual Hope K. This 5k/10k run is the main fundraiser of the year for HopeKids.
Dates – June 24, 2023
Details – Event held at Spirit of Brandtjen Farm, Lakeville, MN
Contact – Ariel, ariel@hopekids.org or 612-836-8783

Kaleidoscope Teens
Kaleidoscope Teens provides teens in grades 6-12 with support, education, and opportunities through direct programs and community-based resources. Volunteers are needed in three areas this summer.

Meals
Provide meals to the teen program.
Dates – Tuesdays
Details – Food for 25. Deliver by 6:00 p.m. to location near Highway 212 and Eden Prairie Road
Sign up – Meal Train

Rides
Provide rides for weekly programs on Tuesdays.
Dates – Tuesdays
Details – 6:30 p.m. arrival to location near Highway 212 and Eden Prairie Road

Mentors
Be a one-to-one mentor for a teen (age 11-19) to provide support and to coach teens regarding future college and/or career plans.
Dates – Varies
Details – Regularly scheduled meetings with focused skill development lesson, and consistent access and communication with mentor via email, phone, and virtual meetings; 4+ hours per month. Mentors attend one Tuesday program per month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., and meet with teens once per month. Background checks required; training provided.
Contact for all – Tammy Ryder-Harms, Tryderharms@kaleidoscopeteens.org

Mission Animal Hospital
Mission Animal Hospital works to make veterinary care accessible so all families can live their best life with their pet.

Mission Paw-Looza
Volunteers are needed to work the community event Mission Paw-looza on June 10. This family fun run/walk and “barking” lot carnival will be packed with fun. There will be food trucks, live music, pet talent show and costume contest, games, as well as vendors for pets and their humans. Help raise money to make veterinary care accessible for all who love their fur babies.
Dates – June 10, 2023, 1.5 – 2.5 hour, shifts between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Details – Ages 14 and up. All volunteers receive free registration and a T–shirt.
Contact – Megan, megankh@missionah.org

Hospital Support
Hospital duties include laundry, filling flush syringes, cleaning surgical instruments and endotracheal tubes, preparing surgical drapes and other things depending on the needs of the hospital.
Dates – Shifts are available 7 days a week, for 3-hour shifts.
Details –Ages 16 and up. Youth 12-15 may volunteer alongside a parent or guardian.
Apply – On website
Contact – volunteers@missionah.org

Onward Eden Prairie
Onward Eden Prairie provides housing and support for young adults in professional or personal transition. The nonprofit runs a local home currently serving four residents. Volunteers are needed to provide and deliver meals and/or groceries for in-house cooking lessons. An ingredient list and recipe are provided. 
Dates – Open dates in July and August
Details – Volunteers will shop and drop off ingredients, or prepare a predetermined meal/snack.
Sign up – Sign Up Genius
Contact – Corey Sentieri, Corey@onwardep.org

The PROP Shop
The PROP Shop serves local families in need with a donation center and resale store. Volunteers are needed to help sort and organize donations of clothing, housewares, and furniture.
Dates – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.;
Saturdays, 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Details – Ages 14 and up. No long-term commitment needed
Contact – Alicia Yost, alicia@propshopep.org

Secondhand Hounds
Secondhand Hounds, founded in Eden Prairie, commits to animals through adoption, rehabilitation, and hospice care. It also has a pet food shelf in Minneapolis. This summer, volunteers are needed to assist food shelf clients with shopping for pet supplies.
Dates – Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings or afternoons
Dates – Ages 14 and up. Volunteering is at the Minneapolis location.
Contact – Megan Yee, fscoordindator@secondhandhounds.org