Volunteers of all ages (sixth-graders and older) may help out at our homeless shelters.

Good cheer. The phrase has become synonomous with the holiday season, but at Volunteers of America we find that it's absolutely welcome – if not downright essential – 365 days a year.

Whether it's laying down a fresh coat of paint, or serving up a hot, nutritious dinner, our volunteers always take time to go beyond the obvious mission of  providing food and shelter, to provide a heaping helping of good cheer.

Whatever the activity, our volunteers are never to busy to engage our clients with ready smiles and open hearts. The spirit they bring to our clients is reassuring, and supports our promise of a brighter tomorrow.

If you're interested in volunteering, please see our Volunteer opportunities page, or contact Kim Castaneda at 916.442.3691 or kimc@voa-sac.org.

To view stories/photos of recent Volunteers of America Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada volunteer projects and events, please select from the list below. To see all volunteer-related stories/photos in chronological order, go to our Volunteer scrapbook page.

• Starbucks employees volunteer to begin Winter Shelter repainting project | June 18, 2008

• Families find heightened satisfaction volunteering together | April 2008

• Macy's Galleria at Roseville Partners in Time paint Halcyon Place dining room | April 10, 2008

• Friends and family join to volunteer together | Feb. 23, 2008

• Macy's Downtown Plaza's 'Partners in Time' provide an outstanding meal service at the Winter Shelter | Feb. 21, 2008

• Volunteers open their hearts on Valentine's Day for Winter Shelter residents | Feb. 14, 2008

• Skyline Christian Center, Bayside of West Roseville team up to bring sweet treats, music to Winter Shelter | Jan. 26, 2008

• Volunteers of America board members inaugurate weekly Winter Shelter tour | Jan. 23, 2008

• Volunteers learn giving at Winter Shelter is "time well spent" | Jan. 15, 2008

• Community volunteers bring Christmas cheer to Winter Shelter | Dec. 24, 2007

• Volunteers of America board member Tom Lee and Sacramento Asian American Ministries members make Christmas brighter for Greenbriar residents | Dec. 22, 2007

• Macy's Galleria at Roseville plays Santa for Halcyon Place residents | Dec. 21, 2007

• Sacramento City Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy hosts holiday party at Options for Recovery | Dec. 17, 2007

• Village RV brings holiday dinner, gifts to Quarry Oaks senior residence | Dec. 17, 2007

• Volunteers of America 'elves' wrap up gift-wrapping event in record time | Dec. 15, 2007

• Village RV reprises role of Santa for Options for Recovery Transitional Housing Program | Dec. 12, 2007

• Wilton Christian School students, teacher serve clients at Cal Expo Winter Shelter | Dec. 12, 2007

• Community volunteers share Thanksgiving Day with Volunteers of America shelter clients | Nov. 22, 2007

• Orangevale family brings Thanksgiving dinner to transitional housing program | Nov. 20, 2007

• Standard Pacific staff serve dinner to Winter Shelter clients | Nov. 19, 2007

• Starbucks management team decorates Bannon Street Shelter for Thanksgiving | Nov. 14, 2007

• UC Davis students lead arts and crafts workshop for Volunteers of America children | Oct. 26, 2007

• Christ Community Church congregation joins forces to collect 250 backpacks for Volunteers of America's Operation Backpack | Aug. 6, 2007

• Employees of Operation Backpack sponsors Paramount Equity Mortgage and Sacramento Credit Union make packing event a success | Aug. 4, 2007

• Weideman Pediatric Dentistry garners 21 backpacks in employee drive for Operation Backpack | Aug. 3, 2007

• Volunteers of America honors volunteers at 2007 Community Recognition Luncheon | July 26, 2007

• Macy's Arden Fair Partners in Time employee volunteers collect new backpacks and school supplies for Operation Backpack | July 23, 2007

• Gilbert Associates take roller and brush to Volunteers of America's Transitional Housing for Families apartment complex | July 23, 2007

• Entercom Communications spruces up Volunteers of America's Options for Recovery Transitional Housing Program | July 18, 2007

• Sleep Train volunteers deliver new mattresses to Volunteers of America's Open Arms program | June 21, 2007

• Boy Scouts of America Roseville Troop 1 design and build planters for Volunteers of America Senior Safe House | June 2007

• Macy's Galleria at Roseville Partners in Time brighten Volunteers of America's Halcyon Place entrance | May 17, 2007

• Kumi Wickramasinghe of Kumi's Montessori House of Children serves a Saturday supper to A Street Shelter clients with the help of family and friends | May 12, 2007

• Wells Fargo employees paint Yale Street home of Volunteers of America's LaVerne Adolfo Transitional Housing Program | March 8, 2007