What Does it Mean to Volunteer?

Our volunteers are our Elves. They are the ones who make sure everyone receives the joy of priceless connection. To be an Elf, you will be matched up with a senior in one of the long-term assisted living facilities we have partnered with for the year. Your job is a simple task: to mark off one gift on a senior's "wishlist" and - more importantly - spend time with them over the holidays.

Being an Elf is a fun and rewarding experience. We look for qualified individuals who:
  • Have a friendly, enthusiastic attitude
  • Are active listeners and want to know about stories from long ago
  • Believe seniors have value and that their legacy should be passed on through their communities
  • Are willing to donate a minimum of $15 towards a gift that will lift a senior's holiday spirits (please note we are not a charity and cannot issue tax receipts)
  • Are dedicated to spending 90 minutes visiting with a senior to provide them with the gift of caring (OR spend up to 90 minutes writing a thoughtful letter for physically distanced events)
  • Are over the age of 16 or can bring an adult with them to in-person events
  • Have reliable transportation or bus routes to in-person events

Volunteer Applications for our 2022 Program are now closed.

Thanks to volunteers, we will be able to serve 65 seniors over the holiday season in December 2022.

Elf Anonymous 2022

For our 2022 program, we are offering two program options:
  1. Letter-Writing: This program allows for volunteers to write a heartfelt letter to a senior who is experiencing loneliness during the winter holidays. This is in partnership with Our Parents Home. Many of the seniors in this residence experience dementia and social connection will lift their spirits; letter-writing is a form of communication they can return to so that the conversation is not lost. Our team will match you with an appropriate "pen-pal" based on shared interests to the best of our ability. Letters must be delivered by mail before or on December 1, 2022, along with a $15 contribution towards a small gift that each senior will receive (paid by mailed cash or e-transfer). Elf Anonymous is responsible for purchasing gifts with your contribution, and will deliver them with the letters received.

  2. In-Person Tea Party: The tea party will be at Chartwell St Albert Retirement Residence (20 Hebert Road, St. Albert) on December 10, 2022 from 1-3pm. The event will benefit 15 seniors, and is limited to 15 volunteers who will spend the duration of the tea party making connections with a senior through conversation, and join us in some fun festive games. Volunteers will be expected to bring a $15 gift to the tea party for one senior resident.
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You may also volunteer for both options, committing to both writing a letter and attending the in-person event, keeping in mind that the in-person event is limited to 15 volunteers. If we have additional applications for the in--person event, we will place those applicants on a waitlist to act as back-up volunteers should any volunteer need to cancel their participation.

Are you an employee at a senior living facility in the Edmonton area?

We are always looking for senior living facilities to partner with. Consider getting in touch with us about having your facility participate in future events.
​View our impact from past events