Opportunities From: City of Thornton - Volunteer Programs

This opportunity is for volunteers interested in pairing up with gymnasts with disabilities or special needs. This may include demonstrating skills, assisting gymnasts with the skills or activities, and encouraging their new friends. Advanced gymnastics skills not required. Looking for individuals who can empathize with others, are patient and like to have fun engaging with others. 

A brief disability awareness training for all volunteers and background check for volunteers over 18 are required.  

This opportunity is for volunteers interested in playing volleyball together with athletes with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This may include demonstrating skills, assisting 1:1, and encouraging athletes. Advanced volleyball skills not required. Looking for individuals who are patient, understanding, and have fun engaging with others. A brief disability awareness training for all volunteers and background check for volunteers over 18 are required.

We are seeking a dedicated volunteer(s) for our youth Adaptive Swim Lessons. Volunteers will help under the direction of the instructors with assisting swimmers who are neurodiverse or with disabilities. Tasks including redirecting swimmers while taking turns, leading swim related songs or games, and potentially assisting swimmers to complete the skills. A brief orientation will be required. Background check is required for volunteers over 18. The class we are seeking help with is Tuesdays 5:10-5:50 pm. 

Be Part of the Celebration – Volunteer for Día de los Muertos!

We’re looking for enthusiastic, hardworking, and self-motivated volunteers to help make Thornton’s Día de los Muertos celebration a success on Saturday, November 1, from 12–5 p.m. at McAllister Park Center.

Why Volunteer?

Be part of one of Thornton’s biggest cultural celebrations.

Support your community through art, tradition, and togetherness.

Meet new people, gain experience, and have FUN while helping!

Enjoy a meal on us! Volunteers will receive vouchers to eat at one of our 5 delicious food trucks.

What We Need:

Friendly greeters to welcome guests.

Helpers for activity stations (arts & crafts, face painting, etc.).

Strong hands for set-up and tear-down.

Energetic floaters who can jump in where needed!

Volunteer Check-In: Please meet at the RED Welcome Tent in the middle of the parking lot when you arrive.

No matter your role, your energy and dedication will make this community event unforgettable.  The event is 12-5 p.m. but we need help with set up 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. and clean up from 4 - 6 p.m. and everything in between.  The shifts are broken up below.

Sign up today!

Let’s honor tradition, celebrate community, and create lasting memories—together.

We're seeking volunteers to help pick up, sort, and organize donations throughout November. We're collecting new socks and non-perishable food items to support individuals in need within the Thornton community. Your time and effort can make a real difference!

Monday morning shifts (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) - Provide transportation and pick up donations from 4-7 city locations and deliver to Community Connections (9471 Dorothy Blvd. Thornton, CO).

Pick Up Locations

Volunteer #1

Volunteer #2

Volunteers should be comfortable with transportation, lifting, and unloading collected items and delivering them to the identified storage area at Community Connections.  Some locations (fire stations) may not require a weekly collection, and this will be confirmed in advance of the Monday pick up date. 

Friday morning and afternoon shifts will focus on sorting and organizing donations at Community Connections.

Join Us for WinterFest in Thornton!

WinterFest is a beloved community celebration filled with holiday lights, music, and festive activities for all ages. To make this 3-day event truly magical, we need your help transforming Carpenter Field into a winter wonderland!

We're looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks before, during, and after the event. Whether you're helping set up, supporting activities during the festival, or assisting with cleanup, your time and effort will help bring the holiday spirit to life.

Be part of the magic—volunteer today!

Shifts are available for the following tasks:

Set up of the event:

We will be putting lights on the many trees that help create the winterland feel.

Wednesday, December 10

Thursday, December 11

During the event:

A Holiday Traditions Tent will be set up, and we’re looking for a few volunteers per shift to help oversee the displays.

Friday, December 12

Saturday, December 13

Sunday, December 14

We also need assistance with helping crafters remove their items in the large tent and setting up the stage for the holiday concert on Saturday, December 12.

After the event:

We will be removing lights from the trees and storing them for next year's festival.

Monday, December 15

Thank you for helping make this event such a fantastic community celebration!

We Need Volunteer Santas and Elves!
Help bring holiday magic to local families by volunteering as a Santa or Elf. All calls are made from the Thornton Community Center, and training is provided. It’s a fun and rewarding way to spread cheer this season!

Meet at 5:15 to have a bite to eat and prepare for the evening calls that will begin at 6:00 pm.  

This is a wonderful chance to make a real difference by offering support to those in need. Consider becoming a Snowbuster as an individual, family, club, or even as a business!

This opportunity is for volunteers interested in helping with one or more various Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Programs. This may include assisting with Art Classes, Social Activities, Gymnastics, Dance, Archery, or Sports. AIR Volunteers may also partner with a participant with special needs in various recreation programs to help the program be inclusive of their needs. One hour per week for 5-10 weeks is the general commitment depending on the program. 

A brief disability awareness training for all volunteers and background check for volunteers over 18 are required. 

Introducing AIR Buds! Through this program, a participant with a disability is paired up with a volunteer based on age and common interests. A brief interview and background check (ages 18+) are required for volunteer buddies over 18. An orientation with the AIR Coordinator is required. After that, buddies are responsible for scheduling when and how they use the recreation center. Examples could be using the pool together, attend a Zumba class together, etc. 

Join us in making your neighborhood entrance or a local park bed shine! This is a great chance to connect with Mother Nature and improve your community. Whether you choose to work alongside neighbors or enjoy some solo time, let’s discover who has a green thumb! Help us by adopting an area that you’d love to see transformed and bring some extra beauty to the space.

This position assists teachers in working with preschool children between the ages of 3-6 in a formal, licensed program.  Requires fingerprinting and background checks.

Volunteers are needed to sit on two public art review panels. Each public art project has a unique selection panel to help advise on the artist review process. Volunteer panel members will meet twice, with one meeting to review and score artist application materials, and a second meeting to recommend the artist (or artist team) that best meets the scope of the project. Learn more about the Public Art Goals and Commission Process.

Questions: Contact PublicArt@ThornotonCo.gov or call (720) 977-5881