Special Event Details
Potluck in the Park Christmas Dinner 2014
Dates: 12/24/2014 - 12/25/2014
Potluck in the Park
at the Portland Art Museum *note location change*
Invites you to volunteer at the Potluck Christmas Dinner!
Potluck in the Park will be holding a special Christmas Day dinner at the Portland Art Museum (in addition to its usual Sunday dinner at O'Bryant Square the Sundays before and after Christmas).
To make it a success we need YOU!
There's plenty to be done, both on prep-day (Christmas Eve, the 24th) and the day of the meal itself, the 25th! So much so in fact that we have divided the work into shifts - each of which has its own requirements, sign up, start time, and duration. They are ALL based at the Portland Art Museum (exact location details will be emailed to you after you sign up for a shift).
Here's how to volunteer:
Please read everything below carefully BEFORE signing up for a shift.
Since this is such a large event, tasks for both days (Dec 24th and 25th) have been broken up into a number of shifts. Apart from those volunteering for Transportation #1 or #2, you will not know exactly what task will be assigned to you during your chosen shift until you arrive for check in.
For instance, during the Meal Service #1 and #2 shifts on Christmas Day, your tasks may include:
- serving the guests their food
- acting as a runner taking food from A to B
- acting as a messenger making sure communications between the various activities goes smoothly
- manning the pet food tables
- assisting our disabled guests
- and more... the list is a long one!
The only exception is Transportation #1 and #2, as these shifts require specific (driving) qualifications and access to an insured vehicle.
Important info for Youth & Teams...
We welcome volunteers of all ages, but request (for legal reasons) that every volunteer who is not a legal adult have a parent or guardian fill out a Youth Waiver Form (click here to download) and bring it with them when they attend their shift. Volunteers under 14 should be accompanied by an adult and children under 12 years of age should stay with 'their adult' throughout their shift. There will likely be almost 1,800 people in and around the site on Christmas Day - we don't want anyone to get lost!
IMPORTANT: Due to online privacy laws, volunteers age 12 or younger cannot create an account on our website. To reserve a slot for a volunteer age 12, email lydia@handsonportland.org.
There is no team sign up option for this event.
All volunteers must sign up as individuals.
When you arrive...
Please be on time, but not too early, about 10-20 minutes before your shift starts is about right. The folks at check in will allocate you a name badge, color-coded for a particular task. As you may be asked to work all (or most likely part) of your shift outside - though most outside areas will be covered and under canvas - it's a good idea to bring warm clothing and dress for the weather. If you don't need it, then cloakroom facilities will be available to store it during your shift. You will get a cloakroom ticket if you leave anything - don't lose it!
Sign up below...
Please volunteer for ONE shift only. This event is one of the most popular happening in Portland around the holidays, and we wish that as many folk as possible will get the opportunity to help over the two days. Once you've signed up, if for any reason you can't be with us as expected, please make sure you log into your Hands On volunteer account and remove yourself. If you're removing yourself less than 48 hours before your shift, please also call our Potluck in The Park/Hands On Coordinator, Douglas Allchin: 503-896-9351.
After you have signed up, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. In that email will be a link to a Potluck In The Park page which will give you full details of the location, timing, and extra instructions!
Preparation Day - Wednesday, December 24th
Help us prepare for the big meal! Choose ONE shift only.
Click the green link below for more information and to sign up:
SET-UP - FULL
10:00am – Noon
DECORATING - FULL
Noon – 3:00pm
FINAL TOUCHES - FULL
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Meal Day - Thursday, December 25th
Help us during the big meal! Choose ONE shift only.
Click the link for more information and to sign up:
GUEST TRANSPORTATION #1 - FULL
11:00am – 2:30pm *Must use your own insured vehicle
GUEST TRANSPORTATION #2 - FULL
1:30pm – 5:30pm *Must use your own insured vehicle
EARLY SHIFT - FULL
9:30am - 12:30pm
MEAL SERVICE #1 - FULL
11:00am – 2:00pm
MEAL SERVICE #2 - FULL
1:30pm – 4:00pm
TEAR DOWN CREW - FULL
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Volunteer for FINAL CLEAN UP TEAM - FULL
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Thank you very much for patiently reading this - all of us here at Potluck in the Park thank you for volunteering part of your Christmas to enrich that of someone else!
Potluck in the Park serves more than 20,000 hot meals every year. Consider donating to Potluck in the Park and supporting this important work! Visit www.potluckinthepark.org/donate to contribute. Or to become a sustaining member by setting up a monthly donation, contact Douglas Allchin: dallchin@hotmail.com.
NOTE: If you experience technical issues with your voluteer account or password, contact Lydia at lydia@handsonportland.org.
FOLLOW US!