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THANK YOU!

Kiwanis Holiday Lights is 100% volunteer operated!  This year, 63 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 21,000 volunteers from over 100 nonprofit organizations have participated with set-up, tear-down and running the event, logging over 120,000 volunteer hours.

Thanks to the donations that are provided by event attendees, $690,000 has been donated

to the nonprofit organizations that have provided volunteers.

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.

Kiwanis Holiday Lights Volunteer Contact Information:

(507) 385-9129

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2024 VOLUNTEER GROUPS

Aktion Club Theatre of Mankato/
Open Arts Minnesota

Amtgard

Bethany Lutheran College

Blue Earth County Fair Association

BECHS (Blue Earth County Historical Society)

Bridges Community School
Camp Sweet Life Adventures

Christ the King Lutheran Church

Circle the Earth Recreation Association

Dance Conservatory

Girl Scout Troop 34494 and 39738

Gustavus Adolphus Women's
Soccer Team

Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota/ReStore

Homebot Robotics

Horizon Homes
Immanuel Lutheran School -

Mankato (K-12)

Lasting Imprint

Leisure Education for Exceptional People (LEEP)

Lyle C Pearson Disabled American Veteran Auxiliary Unit 10

Mankato Area Hockey Association

Mankato Area Public Schools & Community Education

Mankato Area Youth Bowling Assoc.

Mankato Christian Academy

Mankato Area Youth Baseball Assoc. (MAYBA)

Mankato East Boys Basketball

Mankato East Football

Mankato East Girls Basketball

Mankato East Girls Hockey

Mankato East Softball

Mankato East VEX Robotics

Mankato Family YMCA

Mankato FFA Alumi & Supporters
Mankato HOSA

Mankato Kiwanis Club

Mankato Makerspace

Mankato Police Explorers

Mankato Teachers Association

Mankato West Key Club

Mankato West VEX Robotics

Merely Players Community Theatre


 

MSU Mankato Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity

MSU Cheer Team

MSU Circle K

MSU Delta Sigma Pi

MSU Learning Communities

MSU Mavericks - Student Athletes

MN Valley Action Council (MVAC)
Mt. Olive Lutheran School and Church

North Kato Explorers

Nicollet County 4-H Club

North Mankato Firefighters Relief Association

One Bright Star

Optimist Club of Minnesota Valley

Risen Savior Lutheran School

Saint Peter High School
National Honor Society

Sertoma Club of Greater Mankato

South Central College

South Central MN Pride

The Junior League of Greater Mankato

Troop 8 Scouts BSA

Twin Valley Council BSA

YWCA Mankato

2024 RESTAURANTS THAT DONATE
VOLUNTEER MEALS

1000 Degrees Pizza

Applebee's

Atomic Star Tavern

Boulder Tap House

Buffalo Wild Wings

Casey's General Store

Chiptole

Crisp & Green

Crooked Pint

Cub Foods West

Dickey's BBQ Pit

Dinos Pizza

Dominos Pizza

Ecumen Pathstone Living

Erbert & Gerbert's

Happy Chef

Hooligans

HyVee

Jake's Stadium Pizza

JD's Hideaway

Jonny B's

Kato Pizza by Gary

KFC

Little Caesars Pizza

Loose Moose Saloon

Maverick's Sports Bar

MC's Garage
McDonald's

Nakato Bar & Grill

Nolabelle Kitchen + Bar

Noodles & Company

Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen

Olde Brick House

Olive Garden

Olives

Pagliai's Pizza

Pappageorge Restaurant & Bar

Perkins

Pita Pit

Pizza Hut

Pizza Ranch

Pub 500

Red Lobster

Rounders Sports Bar & Grill

Slim Chickens

Spinners Bar & Grill

Subway

Swiss & Madison

Toppers Pizza

Ummies Bar & Grill

Wow! Zone Family
Entertainment Center

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.

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.

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!

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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