As our lives and commitments shift over time, we find ourselves with time or interest to give to new and varied pursuits. If you find yourself with time to give back, we invite you to consider volunteering at Prairiewoods. We are always looking for dedicated people interested in giving back to their community!
Here are a few ways you can volunteer at Prairiewoods …
Office: If you are personable and friendly, we could use your help in our front office! You would work on weekends or weeknight evenings to greet guests with a welcoming smile, answer phone calls, field guest questions, collect program fees, process Gift Shop purchases and help with other office duties as needed. This is a great opportunity to interact with people and extend hospitality at Prairiewoods!
Special Projects: Are you organized or detail-oriented? You can assist with special projects, such as folding marketing brochures, stuffing envelopes for a mailing, representing Prairiewoods at community events, praying for guests’ intentions, planning upcoming events or serving on our Board of Directors. This is ideal for anyone who likes to help periodically with a variety of tasks.
Kitchen: Do you know your way around a kitchen? Under the guidance of our professional chefs, you can help provide fresh, nutritious meals. You would assist in light meal preparation and run the dishwasher—a great opportunity to spend time in a professional kitchen!
Housekeeping: If you thrive in a tidy room, we could use you as a housekeeping volunteer! You would help maintain the cleanliness and beauty of our Center and Guest House by doing laundry, washing windows, sweeping—anything to make our guests feel at home!
Hospitality: If you’re friendly and helpful, you might enjoy providing hospitality to retreatants as they arrive. You would welcome them, give them a brief tour and show them to their rooms. This is especially needed Friday afternoons.
Outdoors: If you’re passionate about the environment or love to spend time in nature, you would feel right at home as an outdoor volunteer. At Prairiewoods, we take land care to heart. As an outdoor volunteer, you would help keep our 70 acres of woods and prairie beautiful, ecologically healthy and productive. You can help with trail maintenance, prairie or woodland restoration, lawn mowing and general maintenance.
Garden: Do you love to get your hands in the soil? Our extensive gardens include a huge vegetable garden (co-tended by Metro Catholic Outreach), fruit orchard, herb garden and multiple flower beds. You would help plant, weed or harvest. Is this the right fit for you?
If you want to volunteer at Prairiewoods, please contact us at 319-395-6700 or EcoSpirit@Prairiewoods.org.
—Andi Lewis, Prairiewoods marketing coordinator