Get Involved

Upcoming One-time Volunteer Opportunities:

• Ontario Park Clean Up Day 
  • The Ontario Park workday will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at Ontario Park, located at 5658 Ontario St. Participants should use the main entrance off Ontario Street and will be directed to a designated parking spot upon arrival. Activities will involve various physical fitness levels and include tree trimming, brush clearing, trash pick-up, and fence removal. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, loppers, pruning saws, and water bottles. Chain saws are not allowed.

• Ada Hayden Heritage Park Clean Up Day
  • The Ada Hayden Heritage Park workday will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, located at 5205 Grand Ave., at the north parking lot shelter. Efforts will focus on cutting sumac encroaching on the trails and trash pick-up. Participants should bring work gloves, loppers, and water bottles.

     

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:

• Ames Animal Shelter
  • Are you passionate about animals? Volunteer at the Ames Animal Shelter
• Ames Public Library
  • Do you want to volunteer at the Ames Public Library? See the current volunteer opportunities.
• Boards and Commissions
  • The City of Ames has 18 boards and commissions made up of resident volunteers appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The structure, duties, and responsibilities of these bodies vary depending on their specific purposes, but every board or commission works to improve the quality of life for residents of Ames. Interested in getting involved? Learn more.
  • Ames International Partner Cities Association
    • AIPCA promotes cultural and educational exchanges between the people of the City of Ames and those of its Partner Cities. Ames presently has two designated sister cities: Koshu City, Japan, and Podujeva, Kosovo. Ames residents can apply for a board seat or to host a visitor from a sister city.
• Friends
  • “Friends” are organized groups focused on supporting a specific institution, amenities or other purpose. They may serve as an advocacy group or raise funds to enhance or sustain other institutions or initiatives.
    
    Get involved in a Friends group: 
    • Ames Public Library Friends Foundation 
    • Friends of Emma McCarthy Lee Park and Munn Woods
    • Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park 
    • Friends of Brookside Park
• Parks Cleanup
  • If you are interested in adopting a park or conducting a park cleanup event through the Parks and Recreation Department, please contact Joshua Thompson, Parks and Facilities Superintendent: joshua.thompson@cityofames.org.
• Smart Business Challenge
  • Are you a business interested in taking more sustainable actions? Join the Smart Business Challenge.