Volunteer

…our community connects in shared care…

Thank you for your interest in volunteering! We are a volunteer-based organization and welcome your collaboration! We’re currently looking for volunteers who want to be a part of a caring community that supports children who have complex medical conditions, their family members and their care providers while we all focus on our individual and collective whole health and well-being. We looking forward to collaborating with you!

2026 Spreading Kindness Service Program

Are you looking for a fun and positive way to participate in the 2026 MLK Day of Service on January 19th? We invite you to join us in doing a service activity as part of our Spreading Kindness program, which launches on MLK Service Day again this year. 

Eliana's Light will be bringing community members together to support local families that include children with complex medical conditions through virtual events where families, friends, and coworkers can show they care. 

Volunteers can write positive, encouraging and supportive messages for hospitalized children and their families and/or decorate the outside of gift bags they fill with comfort items (e.g., arts and crafts kits, cozy socks, etc.). These expressions of kindness demonstrate the love that is within our community for a family in need, the hope one can give another for a better future, and compassion that groups of people can show for our shared humanity. 

 
So, if you're looking for a convenient way to:

• Build a strong and positive community spirit,

• Nurture compassion and empathy for others

• and provide immeasurable strength and hope to hospitalized children and their families,

  
  consider joining us in Spreading Kindness!

  To let us know how you and perhaps your family, friends, and/or co-workers would like to participate, please email us. The deadline to participate is Feb. 9th as all items will be delivered to patients and families by Valentine's Day.

“When we made cards together as a family, it gave us the opportunity to have meaningful conversations about the children who spend a lot of time in the hospital, the importance of empathy, and how we can each do our part to help another.”

—Father who participated in the 2021 “Spreading Kindness” virtual volunteer program

We Are Currently Seeking Volunteers To Help With:

• fundraising;

• outreach & communications;

• partner identification and engagement; and

• our holiday service programs (which are posted on our events page)

Please email us to let us know how you'd like to be involved! We greatly appreciate your interest!

Read an Article from One of Our Volunteers, Anna Schoenbach, On the Value of Volunteering

Be Kind to Yourself - By Being Kind to Others!

Hey, you. Yes, you - be kind to yourself. You deserve it. In fact, give yourself a treat. But what kind?

Spa days are just a day, and then you're back to your stressful life. Desserts are delicious, but the health consequences. Not so much. Curling up with a blanket and a good book? Always nice, but what if we aimed a little higher, did a little better? What if you volunteered as a treat to yourself?

You might think that's a strange idea, but the truth is, volunteering is not just for "other people!" It's good for you, too.

Humans are social animals. We are at our best when we're a part of a community, uplifting each other. So, is it any wonder that, when we help others, we help ourselves? And this goes beyond the simple "if you help others, they'll help you..." No, no, according to science volunteering actually makes you healthier, mentally, physically, and spiritually!

From the Heart - Helping the Heart!

Wait, volunteering makes you healthier? Yes! According to Harvard Health, people who volunteer maintain a healthy body weight, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. There are many reasons for this, but part of this health boon may be that volunteering gets you out of the house and physically active. Many volunteer activities are low-impact, but still good for your heart... in more ways than one!

Ease Other's Stress - and Ease Your Own!

Did you know that volunteering helps with mental health and stress? Not only is getting out and socializing a massive boost to your mental health already, but, according to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, just being kind to others sets off a burst of brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin and dopamine make you feel happier, ease anxiety, and reduce stress. They are also natural painkillers, too, by the way! But the best part? The more you help others, the more likely you are to be kind and generous again - becoming the kind of person that we all want to be in this life.

Spiritually

Not only does volunteering make you happier and healthier, but it connects you to your community. When you volunteer, you meet people, sharing experiences and good company. If you're an extrovert? You get all the socialization that you need. If you're an introvert, you get to have socialization but then can retreat to your tasks to recharge your energy. Either way, not only do you become more aware of fun events, services, and new places you can visit, but you might make a friend for life!

You also add positivity to the world, making it a little more of a world you can enjoy and live in.

Interested? Great! Now what?

What do you need to be a volunteer? Only your time, an open mind, and a desire to help others.

Where do you go? Google and meetup sites can help you find opportunities near you. If you have causes that you are passionate about, they are always looking for volunteers, so look there, too! Eliana's Light is always looking for volunteers to help us with our mission of building "villages" for families with medically complicated children!

What do you do? Anything! We're always in need of volunteers with all kinds of skills and backgrounds.  

So, go for it! Treat yourself today and find an opportunity to volunteer that works for you. Low cost and vast benefits, for just a bit of time and energy - and everyone wins!

Isn't that the best reward of all?