The following is a press release written for the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.
The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network provides information about local volunteer opportunities. For a complete listing, visit BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org or call 812-349-3433. The inclusion of an organization in this list does not imply City endorsement or support of the organization’s activities or policies.
Information and registration links for the following opportunities can be found at BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org.
Festival of Ghost Stories
Join City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation and the Bloomington Storytellers’ Guild as they produce haunting tales of ghosts and horror for families in Bryan Park. Volunteers are needed to assist with decorating for the event, setting up concessions, passing out cider during the show, keeping candles lit, and teardown. On-site training is provided.
Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
Learn More at: https://bton.in/Ghost26
Location: Bryan Park, 1001 S. Henderson Street, Bloomington, IN, 47401
Contact: Emily Buuck at emily.buuck@bloomington.in.gov
Read for the Record “Celebrity” Readers
Join the Commission on the Status of Children and Youth (CSCY) for Read for the Record, the world’s largest shared reading experience celebrating children’s early language and social-emotional development. CSCY is seeking volunteer “Celebrity” Readers to travel to schools and read Brave Like a Lion! How a Puppeteer Found Her Voice by Megan Piphus to groups of elementary-aged children.
Date: November 10, 2026
Learn More: https://bton.in/Read4R
Location: Various elementary schools
Contact: Crystal Ritter (Safe & Civil City Director) at ritterc@bloomington.in.gov
Afternoon Dog Walkers at Nashville Animal Shelter
The Brown County Humane Society (BCHS) is seeking volunteers willing to walk dogs at their shelter in Nashville. Enjoy the outdoors with a canine companion on BCHS’s 6-acre property, complete with barn, fenced in play area, and babbling brook. Volunteers are required to commit to 3 hours minimum on the same day every week, for at least 3 months or more.
Learn More at: https://bton.in/BCHSDog
Location: 128 State Road 135 South, Nashville, IN, 47448
Contact: Megan Gushwa (Community Relations Manager) at volunteer@bchumane.org
Wish List Spotlight:
Teachers Warehouse Wish List
Help Teachers Warehouse provide free school supplies to public school teachers from Monroe, Brown, Greene, Lawrence and Owen Counties by fulfilling a wish from their wish list. Wish list items include craft supplies, office supplies, sports equipment, cleaning supplies, toys, and more.
View the Teachers Warehouse Wish List at: https://bton.in/Teachers
Location: 524 N. Fairview Street, Bloomington, IN, 47404
Contact: Deliver donations to 524 N. Fairview Avenue in Bloomington, Monday-Thursday from 3:30-6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
You can find year-round in-kind donation needs from a variety of local organizations on the Community Wish List at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/communitywishlist .
