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THANK YOU!

Kiwanis Holiday Lights is 100% volunteer operated!  This year, 67 local nonprofit volunteer groups are helping with set-up, tear-down and nightly duties during the event. Each volunteer group has the opportunity to enter a float in the opening night parade and decorate a tree in the “nonprofit tree area.” In addition, these nonprofit organizations receive a portion of the donations received by Kiwanis Holiday Lights.

 

 We're currently at capacity with the number of volunteer groups that are involved,

but you're welcome to contact us to be added to the waiting list. 

 

Since Kiwanis Holiday Lights first started in 2012, over 16,700 volunteers from over 100 nonprofit organizations have participated with set-up, tear-down and running the event, logging over 100,000 volunteer hours.

Thanks to the donations that are provided by event attendees, $513,000 has been donated

to the nonprofit organizations that have provided volunteers.

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If you’re interested in volunteering, contact one of the groups listed below 

to inquire if they need assistance with their pre-scheduled volunteer shifts.

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Kiwanis Holiday Lights Volunteer Contact Information:

(507) 385-9129

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2022 VOLUNTEER GROUPS

Aktion Club Theatre of Mankato/Open Arts Minnesota

BECHS (Blue Earth County Historical Society)

BENCHS (Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society)

Bethany Lutheran College

Blue Earth County Fair Association

Bridges Community School
CADA (Committee Against
Domestic Abuse)

Camp Sweet Life Adventures
Christ the King Lutheran Church

Cornerstone Methodist Church, Lake Crystal

ECHO Food Shelf

Ecumen Pathstone Living

Girl Scout Troop 34494 and 39738

Goodwill

Gustavus Women's Soccer Team

Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota/ReStore

Harry Meyering Center
Immanuel Lutheran School -

Mankato (K-12)
Junior Achievement

Lasting Imprint

LEEP

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Lifeworks Services, Inc.

Loyola Catholic School

Lyle C Pearson Disabled American Veteran Auxiliary Unit 10

Mankato Area BMX

Mankato Area Hockey Association

Mankato Area Public Schools & Community Education

Mankato Area Youth Bowling Assoc.

Mankato Kiwanis Club

Mankato East Girls Basketball

Mankato East Girls Hockey

Mankato East Softball

Mankato East/West HOSA

Mankato Educare Foundation

Mankato Family YMCA

Mankato Figure Skating Club

Mankato Makerspace

Mankato Peppers Softball

Mankato Police Explorers

Mankato West Music Booster Club

Mankato West Vex Robotics

MAYBA (Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association)

Merely Players Community Theatre

Minnesota Power Athletics

Minnesota Valley Action Council

MSU Aviation Student Life Program

 

MSU Cheer Team

Mt. Olive Lutheran School

Circle K

MSU Dance Team

MSU Delta Sigma Pi

MSU Learning Communities

MSU Mavericks - Student Athletes

MSU Pinky Swear Pack

MSU Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity

North Kato Explorers,

Nicollet County 4-H Club

North Mankato Firefighters Relief Association

One Bright Star

Open Door Health Center

Optimist Club of Minnesota Valley

Risen Savior Lutheran School

Sertoma Club of Greater Mankato

South Central College

St. John's Faith Formation Program

Troop 8 Scouts BSA

Twin Valley Council BSA

Wellcome Manor Family Services

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2022 RESTAURANTS THAT DONATE
VOLUNTEER MEALS

1000 Degrees Pizza

Applebee's

Atomic Star Tavern

Blue Earth County Fair

Boulder Tap House

Buffalo Wild Wings

Burrito Wings

Dickey's BBQ Pit

Dominos Pizza Riverfront Drive

Ecumen Pathstone Living

Happy Chef

HyVee

Jake's Stadium Pizza

Jonny B's Sports Bar

KFC
McDonald's

Nakato Bar & Grill

Nolabelle Kitchen + Bar

Noodles & Company

Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

Pagliai's Pizza

Pappageorge Restaurant & Bar

Perkins

Pita Pit

Pizza Ranch

Pub 500

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Red Lobster

Rounders Sports Bar & Grill

Sadaka's Deli

Spinners Bar & Grill

Swiss & Madison

The Beast Foods

The Loose Moose Saloon & Conference Center

Ummies Bar & Grill

Wow! Zone Family Entertainment Center

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VOLUNTEER FAQS

What is the minimum age for volunteers?

During the weekend days of set-up and tear-down we encourage volunteers of any age. On the event nights, we ask that volunteers are at least 16 years old for safety reasons.

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How can my group volunteer next year?

The best way is to email volunteer@kiwanisholidaylights.com. The Volunteer Committee determines the nonprofit groups late in the summer.

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Who benefits from the donations?

All the nonprofit groups who help set up, volunteer during the event and take down the displays receive a share of the donations given to Kiwanis Holiday Lights. They also receive an opportunity to have a float in the parade and decorate a tree in the nonprofit tree area. Over 100 groups have volunteered their time over the past ten years and over $367,000 was donated to these organizations in the first seven years of the event. This year, 68 groups will volunteer!

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How many volunteers have helped?

Over 1,000 people volunteer their time each year. On average, over 10,000 volunteer hours go into putting on Kiwanis Holiday Lights each winter. Over the first seven years of the event, 74,790 volunteer hours were provided by 12,485 volunteers!

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