Santa’s workshop can’t run itself! Every year, hundreds of volunteers help us collect and sort through donations. Want to help us spread the Christmas spirit? There’s an opportunity for everyone. We welcome our volunteers to take on more than one role!

Please note: all volunteers – new and returning – are required to register with us before volunteering.

Volunteer opportunities

Show elves

Show elves perform Christmas shows starting in November, right up until Christmas Eve. These shows help us raise funds and gifts. For this role, we look for upbeat volunteers who can bring a special touch and Christmas magic to corporate Santa parties across the city. Expect to chat with guests, sing carols and support Santa while he takes photos with attendees. Performing as a show elf is excellent training for those hoping to spread cheer on Christmas Eve!

Workshop elves

These incredible elves help us sort, organize, pack and fill Santa’s reindeer buses with donations. This group keeps us organized right up to our busiest day of the year. Want to help? Drop by for a few hours in December and we’ll be happy to put you to work. Because we operate out of a giant warehouse, we require 100+ workshop elves throughout the week before Christmas Eve.

“Little workshop elves” who want to sort gifts will require adult supervision.

Donation Box Elves

It takes more than a jolly man in red to gather all of our donations. Starting in October and November, we need help to deliver donation boxes to companies around the city.  Then in December, we need extra hands to pick up them up again. If you have time to pick up a box or two in your neighbourhood, you’ll be our hero!

Publicity elves

Are you an elf with crafty video or photography skills? Want to help us spread the word that Santa’s coming to town? If you or anyone you know would like to help produce promotional videos or photography, we want to hear from you. We need all the help we can get to tell people about the work we do!

Corporate and sponsor elves

We couldn’t help thousands of Calgarians each year without our corporate and sponsor elves! If your company is eager to support us, there are lots of ways to help: borrow donation boxes for your workplace, sponsor us, run an internal campaign, or invite us to host a fundraiser for you and your colleagues. We’re open to hear your creative ideas!

Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.

Other volunteer jobs

At different times before Christmas, we may need assistance at different events like fundraisers, promotional events and even just needing some “muscle” to help us move stuff around.  Some of these events include:

• Elf Rally
• Cookie Exchange
• CORE Tree wrapping
• Warehouse moves

Register to volunteer

When you’re ready, sign up for a role on our volunteer registration page.

Have questions? Visit our FAQ page.