Volunteer Positions
We will have buddies for every guest. Thanks in advance to everyone who signs up to help, we hope your volunteer experience is amazing! Volunteer Registration is now available. Click the button at the bottom of this page to volunteer your time for this incredible evening of fun.
All attempts will be made to put volunteers in the area they have chosen, however, due to the nature of the event it may be necessary to move people around according to needs. Below is a complete list of of the volunteer positions with the number needed for each in parenthesis. Please note in the description of volunteer positions, when you are expected to arrive at the event. Please make every effort to be on time. Unless otherwise notified, you will be expected to be at the venue by 4:30pm in order to complete your registration before our honored guests arrive.
Note: All volunteers 18 or older on February 13, 2026, must submit to a background check and participate in one session of mandatory training.
Buddy (95/150)
Accompany and assist assigned Guest throughout the evening, providing companionship and assistance they may need during the event. Sit with your assigned Guest at dinner and engage them in conversation. Dance with them if they wish to dance. Assist your assigned Guest in experiencing all the opportunities available throughout the evening. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. Past volunteers have told us this is the most rewarding volunteer position at Night to Shine! We require Buddies to be at least 16 years old on February 13, 2026. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm and stay through the evening until your assigned guest departs.
Candy Bar (6/6 - Full)
Assist Guests with the candy bar. Explain the process for the candy bar ensuring that guests make only one trip through. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm and assist at this station until all Guests have received their candy bag.
Coat Check (3/10)
Greet Guests, their assigned Buddies, and other Volunteers, take their coats, and assist them in getting a coat check tag. As participants leave, ask for their coat check tag and retrieve their coat. Cheer Guests on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:00pm and remain until after 9pm to assist in tear down.
Corsage and Boutonniere/Crowns (8/8 - Full)
At the start of the event, corsages and boutonnieres will be given to each Guest after they have registered and been matched with their Buddies, in preparation to walk the Red Carpet. At the end of the evening, you will station crowns and tiaras at predetermined locations, ensuring that those doing the crowning have an adequate supply of crowns and tiaras. We expect to have two assistants for each person doing the crowning of the Guests. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Food Service (5/14)
Assist Guests and Buddies with plating food. Be knowledgeable about the items and assist guests in finding what they would like. Assist Buddies in reviewing any dietary restrictions inside the Guest’s name badge holder. Direct agency staff to the “food prep” area if a pureed diet is necessary. Keep buffet table supplied. Carry plates to tables, refill drinks, pick up dirty cups and plates and help as needed. Will also assist with food service to the Respite Room. Cheer Guests on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Gift Bags (4/4 - Full)
Manage gift bags placing them at predetermined locations for the end of the night and distribute them as honored Guests are preparing to end their evening. Collect name badges as Guests are given their gift bags. Ensure that each Guest gets a bag to take home. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Greeter/Floater (8/8 - Full)
Welcome Guests as they arrive, and help them find their way to the check-in, coat check, main event space, activities and restrooms. Treat everyone like honored guests and celebrities. Constantly “float” around the main area to assist wherever a hand is needed. Floaters will be trained and prepared to serve as Buddies, should Buddies need a rest or are unavailable at the last minute. Cheer Guests on, be joyful and supportive. Be flexible and willing to fill in for another volunteer who needs a break. Fill any need as required. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Guest/Volunteer Check-in (10/10 - Full)
Warmly greet Volunteers and help them get checked in. Supply them with name tags, a program, and any other information that they need. Volunteers will arrive at 4:30pm and need to be all checked in ahead of the Guests, who will begin arriving around 5:30pm.
Warmly greet Guests and check them in. Give them their name tag and information sheet and supply them with any other information or directions they need. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. Assist with getting Guests safely to their vehicles at the end of the night.
You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:00pm.
Hair/Make-up (4/4 - Full)
Help set up the hair and make-up area with mirrors, curling irons, make-up, nail polish, and other supplies. Welcome each Guest to a salon station for hair and makeup. Check for allergies to make-up, perfume, aerosols, etc., before application. Chat with them while you pamper them and make them feel important. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Karaoke (4/4 - Full)
Greet Guests as they come to the Karaoke space, assist them in getting signed up to sing, and sing along with them as they wait! Keep our Guests entertained and excited while waiting in line. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Limo Helper (2/8)
Assist Guests in and out of limos and coordinate with drivers when Crowning happens. Be especially mindful of safety when Guests are entering and exiting vehicles. Keep a joyful and excited atmosphere if there is a line waiting for rides. Ensure that every Guest gets a limo ride if they want one. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Medical (4/4 - Full)
This is a specialized position requiring medical skills and volunteers will be pre-selected. Be available to provide first aid for minor accidents and any medical/emergency needs. Assist professional EMT personnel and be the communication contact for MEDIC Ambulances at the event as needed. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Parking (6/6 - Full)
Maintain a parking pattern and direct traffic for easy vehicle entry and exit. Maintain open fire and emergency lanes. Assist Guests as they exit vehicles, and direct them to the building. Be available to assist Guests returning to their vehicles following the event. Not the most glamorous volunteer position, but one of the most important ones ensuring that our Guests arrive and depart safely. Cheer Guests on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:00pm.
Photo Booth (4/4 - Full)
Assisting Guests in getting to the photo booth explaining the process, keep them entertained and excited while waiting in line. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Red Carpet/Paparazzi (10/10 - Full)
Cheer Guests as they make their way down the red carpet, manage flow of red-carpet traffic and assist Guests where needed to make them feel welcomed. Treat participants like honored guests and celebrities. Smile, clap and greet Guests. Be joyful and supportive. Other volunteers may rotate through this role. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Respite Area (4/4 - Full)
Love on the parents/caretakers by serving food, spending time getting to know them and being available to offer support and/or pray with them, if applicable. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Security (4)
These positions will be pre-assigned. Provide onsite uniformed security (SAU) and non-uniformed personnel. Walk around during the event to ensure exits are not block and all areas remain wheelchair accessible. Coordinate with Medical Team and Law Enforcement to ensure all attendees have a safe and enjoyable experience. If anything concerning or harmful is seen, notify the appropriate people and direct their response. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Sensory Room (1/4)
These positions will be pre-assigned. Spend time with guests who may be experiencing overstimulation from the excitement of the event. Interact with them by participating in sensory activities, singing, listening to calming music, or simply providing them with quiet time. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Setup/Tear Down Decorations (2/10)
Be onsite on February 13th at 8:00 AM to assist in set-up. This will include assembling crowns, gifts bags, inflating balloons, loading and unloading supplies, decorating the venue, and other duties as assigned.
After the event, decorations will be disassembled and packed away, tables cleaned, garbage picked up and removed from the venue. This may occur after the event or the following morning.
Shoe Shine (4)
Welcome each Guest to a shoe shine station. Chat with them while you shine their shoes and make them feel important. Cheer them on, be joyful and supportive. You will be expected to arrive and check in by 4:30pm.
Therapy Dog Handlers (10/10 - Full)
This is a specialized position and volunteers will be members of the Quad Cities Dog Obedience Club and/or graduates of the St. John Vianney Pet Ministry Therapy Dog Handler program and all need to be certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Therapy Dogs are part of the Night To Shine event; they are brought in to provide comfort and a calming presence for attendees and volunteers.
Thank you!
We will have Buddies for every Guest. Thanks to everyone in advance who signs up to help, we hope your volunteer experience is amazing! When registration opens, a button will appear below for you to volunteer your time for this incredible evening of fun.
Volunteer Registration is now open. Click the button below to begin the Volunteer Registration process.