Opportunities From: City of Garland TX

Volunteer Garland invites you to help brighten the lives of children and teens in foster care (ages 3–18). Many of these youth are navigating difficult transitions — your support can bring comfort, dignity, and hope right when they need it most.

UPDATE: 01/05/26

Care Backpacks have been suspended. Residents in December overwhelmed the agency's storage capacity. (Good job, Garland) They are looking for a company that is interested in redirecting their giving to help them with a storage unit. Volunteer Garland will update this listing when the current stock of backpacks is given out to the new intakes, so as to not overwhelm their staff.

Priority request:

Pampers Swaddlers (Size 2)

Diapers (Size 4, any brand)

Baby wipes

The additional cost of taking in babies for these items keeps potential foster care homes from taking in babies. The agency is asking for these items to help retain and recruit new foster homes. 

Spread holiday cheer by donating new, unwrapped toys for children and teens. Every gift helps ensure they have something to call their own this season.

Requested Holiday Items:

Toys for boys and girls (ages 3–12)

Legos and creative play sets

Children enter foster care throughout the year — often with little more than the clothes they are wearing. You can help by donating items for care kits that provide essentials and comfort.

Requested Care Kit Items:

Pampers Swaddlers (Size 2)

Diapers (Size 4, any brand)

Baby wipes

New car seats (unused, in box)

Jewelry, perfume, or makeup (for teens)

Gift cards (clothing, shoes, personal care)

Art and drawing supplies (sketch pads, paints, craft sets)

Want to make an even bigger impact? Consider putting together a complete backpack for a child or teen in foster care.

Suggested contents:

A sturdy backpack or tote

Age-appropriate hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, lotion, wipes)

A small comfort item (stuffed animal, journal, stress ball)

Art or creative supplies (coloring book, sketch pad, crayons)

A personal note or card of encouragement

Optional: gift card ($10–$25) for clothing or a special treat

Optional for teens: jewelry, perfume, makeup, or other self-care items

Please label each backpack with the intended age group: 3–6, 7–12, or 13–18.

When: Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
Where: Parks Operations Center
Attention: Volunteer Garland
525 Tower Street, Garland, TX 75040

You may donate items individually or organize a collection drive through your workplace, school, church, or civic group. To coordinate a drop-off, please email volunteer@garlandtx.gov to make sure someone is in the office. The nature of our work requires weekend and evening work, which means we have to balance our weekday office presence. 

The holidays are a special time to give, but this program continues year-round. Each donation helps children and teens entering foster care feel safe, valued, and cared for — not just during the holidays, but every season of the year.

We know some students and community members are looking to complete volunteer hours. Donations count! If you bring items for this program, you can still acquire volunteer hours for your contribution.

Every donation — large or small — has the power to restore hope, dignity, and comfort to a child in foster care. Whether it’s a single toy, a pack of wipes, or a full backpack, your gift matters more than you know.

Together, we can remind every child entering foster care that they are seen, valued, and loved.

Questions or want to coordinate? Email: Volunteer@Garlandtx.org

Help us build a better volunteer experience by taking a few minutes to update your VolunteerGarland.org profile. Make sure your contact information, interests, skills, and availability are current, and join the programs or departments that interest you.

Our team uses your profile to connect you with volunteer opportunities, special events, trainings, and projects, including opportunities that may not be publicly posted.

The more complete your profile, the better we can match you with meaningful ways to make a difference in Garland.

It is possible to enjoy being outside in the summer…especially if you go early in the morning or later in the evening. This summer, Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest members (all Texas Master Naturalists) will lead 1-hour walks in several parts of the preserve. This is a great way to relax, stroll with a knowledgeable guide, and maybe see some parts of the preserve that you haven’t seen before. Close-toe shoes and long pants are highly recommended; bring water and bug spray. A great activity for families, friends, and pets on a leash. Please contact Dana Wilson (danawilson59@yahoo.com) with questions.

Fri., July 10, 7:30pm: Join Steve & Nancy Boeding for a walk down our new trout lily trail and across to a limestone prairie. 1770 Holford Road (the east side of Holford between Arapaho and George Bush.

Sat., July 11, 8am: Join Vince Hale & David Parrish as they make the loop from the Boy Scout trail to a Spring Creek landmark: our much-graffitied BelAir. 1770 Holford Road (the east side of Holford between Arapaho and George Bush.

Sun, July 12, 8:30am: Piotr Gruszecki will lead walks into the woods and along our creek-side Mapleridge Trail. 2393 Mapleridge Drive (at the dead end 2 blocks east of Shiloh).

Fri., July 17, 7:30pm: Steve & Nancy Boeding get a sunset look at our big limestone prairie and old-growth forest. 1787 Holford Road (the west side of Holford between Arapaho and George Bush).      

Sat., July 18, 8am: Rob Kaaa will loop through our oldest old-growth forest then circle back across a limestone prairie. Meet at Halff Park, 4695 Ranger Dr. (directly east of the Naaman Forest parking lot and batting cages).

Sun, July 19, 8:30am: Piotr Gruszecki will lead walks into the woods and along our creek-side Mapleridge Trail. 2393 Mapleridge Dr. (at the dead end 2 blocks east of Shiloh).

Sat., July 25, 8am: Rob Kaaa will loop through our oldest old-growth forest then circle back across a limestone prairie. Meet at Halff Park, 4695 Ranger Dr. (directly east of the Naaman Forest parking lot and batting cages).

Sun., July 26, 8am: David Parrish will make a circle through the woods to the old abandoned BelAir then back to a creek overlook. 1770 Holford Road (the east side of Holford between Arapaho and George Bush.

GLOWS Community Lighthouse operates a Cooling Station during periods of dangerous heat to provide a safe, air-conditioned space for individuals experiencing homelessness and others who may be vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

The Cooling Station is activated when the National Weather Service forecasts a heat index of 100°F or higher. Operating from the Salvation Army building in downtown Garland, the Cooling Station offers relief from the heat, access to water and light refreshments, and a welcoming environment where guests can cool down safely.

Volunteers play an important role in making the Cooling Station possible. Responsibilities may include:

No special experience is required. Friendly, dependable volunteers are always welcome.

The Cooling Station operates on days when the National Weather Service forecasts a heat index of 100°F or higher.

Hours of Operation

Preferred Volunteer Shifts

Volunteers may sign up for one shift or serve for the full operating period based on availability.

Location
The Salvation Army
451 W. Avenue D
Garland, TX 75040

The Cooling Station relies on community support throughout the summer. Donations of bottled water, electrolyte drinks, cooling towels, hygiene items, snacks, sunscreen, socks, and other heat-relief supplies are always appreciated.

Items can be purchased through the GLOWS Amazon Wishlist and donations outside of the wishlist are also welcome.

Extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather hazards in Texas. Access to a cool indoor space, drinking water, and basic supplies can help prevent heat-related illness and save lives.

By volunteering with the GLOWS Cooling Station, you can help provide comfort, safety, and dignity to neighbors seeking relief during dangerous weather conditions.

Sign up to receive notifications when Cooling Station volunteer opportunities become available. Because activations depend on weather conditions, opportunities are usually scheduled with just a few days notice. Joining the volunteer list does not create an obligation to serve on every activation day—it simply allows us to contact you when help is needed.

*This page is for information only. Click here for the official Keep Garland Beautiful Page*

Volunteering with Keep Garland Beautiful

Keep Garland Beautiful, a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organization, is committed to educating and engaging individuals to take responsibility for improving their community environment.

Participate in regular litter clean-up events or request the supplies your group needs to beautify your school or neighborhood.

Learn More 

Let our native plant experts help you design and start your Monarch Way Station, pollinator patch or garden.

Learn More

Request a Keep Garland Beautiful table for your event or have our education team give your group a lesson on recycling or litter prevention.

Learn More

Keep Garland Beautiful is a Keep Texas Beautiful Gold Star Affiliate.

Gold Star distinction is awarded to groups that have made an impact in their communities and helped make Texas the cleanest, most beautiful state in the nation. It is the highest status any community affiliate can achieve.

Your support will mean so much to us, and the 243,000 or so people that call Garland home.

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Help us build a better volunteer experience by taking a few minutes to update your VolunteerGarland.org profile. Make sure your contact information, interests, skills, and availability are current, and join the programs or departments that interest you.

Our team uses your profile to connect you with volunteer opportunities, special events, trainings, and projects, including opportunities that may not be publicly posted.

The more complete your profile, the better we can match you with meaningful ways to make a difference in Garland.

Good Samaritans of Garland (“Good Sam”) is a nonprofit food pantry serving neighbors in Garland and the surrounding community who are experiencing hunger or food insecurity. Volunteers help make sure families have access to nutritious food in a welcoming, dignified environment.

This is an external partner opportunity. Volunteer Garland will connect you to Good Sam’s volunteer interest form so you can sign up directly with their team.

Good Sam has several weekday volunteer roles at their food pantry:

Welcome Room

Greet guests and check them in.

Assist with basic registration steps.

Help guests take food to their vehicle with a cart when needed.

Bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially helpful for translation.

Kitchen Support

Help prepare carts with food items for guests.

Stock shelves with donations received from retail partners each day.

Pantry Support

Assemble dry-goods boxes and produce bags.

Unload deliveries and restock shelves, refrigerators, and freezers.

Assist with end-of-day clean up.

If you have other skills (office, logistics, language, etc.), you can share them with Good Sam’s team when you complete their interest form.

Volunteer shift times:

Monday–Friday, approximately 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (flexible shifts during these hours).

Pantry public hours:

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

No weekend opportunities:

Good Sam is closed Saturday and Sunday and is not able to offer weekend volunteer shifts at this time.

Location:
Good Samaritans of Garland
3319 Edgewood Drive
Garland, TX 75042

Mailing Address:

PO Box 460177

Garland, TX 75046

Good Sam welcomes a wide range of volunteers, including:

Individual volunteers

Students

Groups (churches, schools, businesses, clubs)

Volunteers completing court-ordered community service

Minimum age: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

This opportunity is managed directly by Good Samaritans of Garland, not by the City of Garland.

Click the “Respond” button on this page.

You will be redirected to Good Sam’s volunteer interest form at:
https://www.goodsamofgarland.org/volunteer/

Complete their interest form. Good Sam’s staff will follow up with you within a few business days.

If you do not hear back after submitting the form, Good Sam invites you to contact them directly at 972-276-2263 or volunteer@goodsamofgarland.org 

NOTE: Please be prepared to fill out the attached Good Samaritan's waiver onsite or print and bring it completed with you to expedite the process.

Help us build a better volunteer experience by taking a few minutes to update your VolunteerGarland.org profile. Make sure your contact information, interests, skills, and availability are current, and join the programs or departments that interest you.

Our team uses your profile to connect you with volunteer opportunities, special events, trainings, and projects, including opportunities that may not be publicly posted.

The more complete your profile, the better we can match you with meaningful ways to make a difference in Garland.