NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
This Week
SAPR Team 5K Color Run
2026 Intertribal Canoe Journey – Call for Volunteer Support
Whidbey Camano Land Trust
Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum
Connect and Thrive Youth Mentoring Program
Navy Marine-Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop
Oak Harbor School District
Habitat for Humanity
Island Senior Resources
SAPR Team 5K Color Run
The NASWI SAPR team is looking for volunteers for their Annual Color Run on the Seaview Trail July 17, 2026. The run will start at the base fitness center at 1100. Registration will start at 1015. This free event is open to all MWR-Eligible patrons. Sign up at the gym front desk or online via myFFR.
Volunteer are needed in the following areas.
- Check-in
- Throwing colors at runners (arguably the best watch station)
- Course navigation and support
Family and friends are welcome to volunteer too- just add their name to the sign-up sheet. You can sign up at the following link.
Color Run Volunteer Sign Up Sheet
2026 Intertribal Canoe Journey – Call for Volunteer Support
The 2026 Canoe Journey is fast approaching. This annual event continues an inter-tribal gathering of Pacific Northwest indigenous nations. Paddlers travel from their home communities and are hosted by different nations along the way. At each stop, canoe families follow certain protocols and ask for permission to come ashore. Host nations typically share a dinner along with drumming, prayer, songs and dances, and gifting. This year, the final destination of the Canoe Journey is the Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch.
The Samish Indian Nation is seeking volunteers to support the canoe landing at Samish territory. The landing and dinner takes place on Friday, July 24th. Breakfast will be served the morning of Saturday, July 25th before canoe families depart.
Location: Fidalgo Bay RV Park, 4701 Fidalgo Bay Rd, Anacortes, WA 98221
Volunteer Needs:
Thurs, July 23 - Setup Day
This is one big afternoon shift, usually with an early release. Volunteers split into teams.
• 12-5pm (18 spots) - This day includes venue setup, food prep, and salmon prep
Fri, July 24 - Landing Day
On landing day, 15-20 canoes will arrive in the afternoon (with a few arriving midday). The Samish Canoe Family will welcome them ashore, where volunteers will help carry canoes onto the shore. At the event center, volunteers serve a buffet dinner.
•
12-3pm - Midday Floats (6 spots)
• 2-5pm - Parking (6 spots) - greeting arrivals and directing guests to event or ADA parking areas
•
2-7pm - Buffet (4 spots) - serving paddlers, restocking the buffet, helping clean up after the meal
•
2-7pm - Canoe Carriers (8-12 spots)- help arriving paddlers carry their canoes ashore, please wear shoes and pants that can get in salt water
•
2-7pm - Late Floats/Clean Up (8-12 spots) - give other teams rotating breaks, tidy and take out garbage's, help clean up in the evening
Sat, July 25 - Departure Morning
This is an early morning departure. Volunteers set out a self-serve buffet, and Samish Canoe Family gives canoes permission to depart from Samish territory. Afterward, we all work together to clean up the venue.
•
6-8am - General Hospitality (4 spots) - keep coffee brewed and self-serve buffet restocked
•
8-11am - Clean Up (10 spots) - help pack up, clean up, and return the venue to its original condition
*We especially are looking for Canoe Carriers on July 24th.*
To RSVP, please contact Karen Looney-Patterson, NASWI Environmental Outreach Coordinator. 360-257-4323, karen.s.looney-patterson.civ@us.navy.mil
Whidbey Camano Land Trust
Keystone Preserve Plant Maintenance
Saturday, July 11, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join us at this preserve in Coupeville, not yet open to the public, to help weed and care for restoration areas on the site.
Difficulty Level:
Easy: Trim back grass that shade out young plants on uneven terrain.
Moderate: Bending and kneeling required for weeding around plants.
Strawberry Point Plant Maintenance
Thursday, July 16, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesday, July 22, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Help out at this preserve's new restoration site in Oak Harbor by weeding, mulching and helping young plants survive the warm summer.
Difficulty Level:
Easy: Trim back grass that shade out young plants on uneven terrain.
Moderate: Tasks require carrying buckets full of mulch and pushing wheelbarrows across uneven terrain. Bending and kneeling may be required for weeding.
Trillium Community Forest Tree Rescue
Tuesday, July 28, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Join us at this community forest in Freeland to water and weed young trees and shrubs planted by 4th and 5th graders earlier this year.
Difficulty Level:
Easy: Walk on uneven terrain to water plants and cut back blackberries.
Moderate: Bending and kneeling required for weeding site.
Difficult: Moving and placing buckets and hoses across uneven and vegetated terrain.
Please register at:
www.wclt.org/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-calendar
Work parties are affected by inclement weather and vegetation growth. Project descriptions are broad because we don’t know the exact work needed until closer to the date. If you have questions about a specific work party, or want to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Taylor Schmuki at
taylor@wclt.org.
Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum
West Seattle Grand Parade - escort the inflatable PBY-5A
Saturday, 18 July 2026
MUSTER at PNWNAM at 0700
caravan / carpool depart PNWNAM at 0715
check in at staging NLT 0945
Step Off at 1100
ETA return to PNWNAM at 1500 (+/-)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44AFA82BA3FAC43-64400123-west#/
Jet Blast Bash (on the flightline!) - work the booth and give tours in the PBY-5A
Seafair Air Show (Museum of Flight: Seattle)
Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 August 2026
MUSTER at PNWNAM at 0730 for carpooling or
Meet us down there at 10a
We'll be working 10a-5p both days
Bring sunscreen!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44AFA82BA3FAC43-64400102-jetblast#/
Connect & Thrive Youth Mentoring Program
Connect & Thrive Youth Mentoring Program, an Oak Harbor based nonprofit that serves Island County youth ages 12–17, is seeking volunteers in Oak Harbor and the surrounding community act as Quest Guides.
Quest Guides walk alongside a young person through a structured, year-long curriculum organized around 8 Pillars of Wellness — physical, emotional, social, financial, environmental, intellectual, spiritual, and occupational. This gives mentors a clear structured roadmap that is manageable, typically a few hours per month.
Mentor recruitment is underway now, with the program launching in September 2026.
For more information, contact Constance Mollerstuen, Executive Director at (360)929-2483, via email at
info@positivelylinked.org. Information is also available on their website at
www.positivelylinked.org.
Navy Marine-Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop - come volunteer with us!
We will track your volunteer hours and provide verification as needed for you or your command.
Flexible hours/days (30 minutes to 8 hours per volunteer day based on your availability)
-
- o Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 0800-1600
- o Thursday 0800-1800
- o Saturday 0930-1330 (July 11, July 25, Aug 8, Aug 22)
No prior thrift shop experience is necessary! Tasks include sorting uniforms and donations, cash register, sales floor stocking, etc.
No need to pre-register, just come by when you have spare time!
Location: Seaplane Base, Bldg 13
Questions? Please contact John or Jeni at 360-257-2728 or email whidbeyisland@nmcrs.org
Oak Harbor School District
Oak Harbor Schools are looking for volunteers for a variety of events at their schools. Please see the volunteer opportunities list at:
https://www.ohsd.net/volunteeropportunities
The OHHS Wildcats need your help! Looking for volunteers to sell refreshments at the concession stand during upcoming athletic events. It's a fun way to support our athletes and be part of the Wildcat spirit! Interested? Sign up here:
Concession Volunteers
Habitat for Humanity - Whidbey Island
Help Build Homes and Hope!
Habitat for Humanity of Island County needs volunteers to support affordable housing on Whidbey Island. No construction experience? No problem—we provide training, tools, and safety gear. Join us to make a difference!
Opportunities:
Construction: Help build homes (ages 18+). Tasks vary; no skills required.
Other Roles: Assist at Habitat Stores or events (details upon sign-up).
Prerequisites:
Must be 18+ for construction.
Submit a 2023 Volunteer Waiver and Background Check Release (sent after registration).
Complete a Volunteer Orientation (Wednesdays at 2:00 PM or by arrangement).
How to Join:
Register at islandcountyhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer-shifts/.
Await clearance email with shift sign-up instructions.
Pick a shift via the “Choose a Shift” page.
What to Bring:
Weather-appropriate, durable clothing.
Closed-toe shoes.
Water and snacks (lunch not provided).
Schedule:
Shifts vary—check the website for current options, typically daytime, full or half-day.
Contact:
Email volunteer@islandcountyhabitat.com or call 360-679-9444 with questions. Let’s build a brighter future together!
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Island Senior Resources
Volunteers needed! Island Senior Resources (ISR) is a Non-Profit 501(3)c organization, serving Island County since 1972, that provides essential resources for older/disabled adults, their families, and caregivers. We are seeking volunteers in a couple different programs to assist a few times a month.
Our Meals on Wheels program provides food delivery assistance to homebound seniors three days a week. We are always looking for more drivers who can work on a consistent schedule or as a backup driver. Drivers will be trained with an experienced volunteer to learn a delivery route. ISR delivers meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Our Medical Transportation program drives clients to medical appointments across five different counties. While some drivers prefer to drive close to home, some drivers prefer going to Bellingham or Seattle. We drive clients Monday – Friday. Our Meals on Wheels and Medical Transportation drivers are eligible for gas reimbursement.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older, but youth are encouraged to volunteer with their guardian. These programs are seeking help from active-duty military, reserves, contractors, civilians, and dependents. So, pass along this info to anyone seeking to enrich their lives with human connection. Our goal is for our volunteers to commit to a few shifts per month, even a once-a-month commitment would help our program’s ability to provide assistance to our disabled and aging community members.
For more information or to sign up, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Bailey Todd, at
bailey@islandseniorservices.org or go to senior-resources.org/volunteering/ to learn more.
Volunteer Chore Program
The Volunteer Chore Program is a new program at Whidbey Island that assists with day-to-day chores such as yard care, grocery shopping, dog walking, medical transportation and housekeeping for elderly residents over 60 who are financially qualified. This program is administered by The Volunteer Center with the Opportunity Council. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ross Labrenz at (360) 679-6577 ext. 2133.
If you have volunteer opportunities, please send all submission requests to:
naswipao@us.navy.mil