Volunteers are the backbone of the Festival of Trees. When you volunteer, you bring the joy of the holiday season to thousands of visitors, and you join a group of dedicated people who have fun while they help make the Festival a truly magical community event.
iPad Users*
Admission and Raffle Package Online Order Pickup and Sales
Volunteers fulfill the online orders by assigning the pre-assembled selected ticket packages to the guest’s record in the order system and providing a digital receipt. iPad volunteers are also responsible for selling additional walk-up admission and raffle ticket sales, handling cash and processing credit card payments via the iPad. This task requires a familiarity with an Apple iPad, attention to detail and good data entry skills. These volunteers may be assigned to stations at the Main Entrance, the Mini Trees and Wreaths room, or Center Court.
*High School Age or Older
Important Tasks that Don’t Involve iPad Use
Tree Guide
Notwithstanding our “Please Don’t Touch the Trees” signs, we’ve become increasingly concerned about damage being done to the trees during the Festival. As a result, each shift the Festival is open will include two to four volunteers who will monitor activity and the directional flow of guests.
Admissions Greeter
At least one volunteer is assigned at the front entrance area to verify admission tickets, welcome guests and provide basic information as needed.
Information Desk
One or two volunteers will be assigned to this station located on the main floor area. These volunteers will assist in directing guests to key areas in the festival, answer basic questions, hand out Scavenger Hunt sheets and prizes, share the Scavenger Hunt hints and tree location reference map, and help take guests’ photos at the nearby photo spot. This station will also sell the tickets for the 50/50 cash raffle. It does not require the use of an iPad.
Tree Watch
Since the offices at 13 Branch Street are open during hours the Festival is closed, we assign up to four volunteers per shift to monitor activity in and around the trees. These volunteers may also be asked to assist with some administrative tasks, such as raffle ticket package assembly.
Raffle Package Assembly
Because guests are pre-ordering their admissions and raffle tickets online in advance of visiting the Festival, we will need to have these packages assembled in advance so they can be picked up when guests arrive. This is a “back room” task and will be mainly done during hours when the Festival is not open. This is a perfect task for small groups of students who would like to volunteer together.
Special note for student volunteers: The Festival of Trees offers an annual scholarship designed to assist young people who have volunteered at the Festival as high school students.
Perfect Tasks for Our Student Volunteers
Photo Station Support
This year, in lieu of photos with Santa, we have a designated holiday photo background set up for guests to take their own “selfie” photos. One or two volunteers will be assigned to this area to assist with taking photos (using guests’ phones) as needed.
Special note for student volunteers: The Festival of Trees offers an annual scholarship designed to assist young people who have volunteered at the Festival as high school students.
Volunteer Support
Volunteers are discouraged from leaving their assigned station during their shifts. As a result, one volunteer will be assigned during each shift to distribute cold water and replenish supplies at each station as necessary. (Great option for our young volunteers who are signing up with an adult buddy!)
Raffle Package Assembly
Because guests will be pre-ordering their admissions and raffle tickets online in advance of visiting the Festival, we will need to have these packages assembled in advance so they can be picked up when guests arrive. This is a “back room” task and will be mainly done during hours when the Festival is not open.
