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.
​
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
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
​
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
​
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
​
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
​
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!