Home For Residents Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities in Cottage Grove

There is a broad array of volunteer opportunities within the Cottage Grove community. These opportunities range from service on City advisory commissions to assisting with youth athletics. There are growing needs for persons to help accomplish the goals of service clubs and to volunteer for area non-profit agencies. There are myriad opportunities to help with School District programming or on City projects or programs. It is through the focused and hard work of all of the community volunteers that we are able to enjoy a fantastic quality of life in Cottage Grove.

  1. Adopt a Park - Volunteers commit two weekends per summer to pick up trash within the chosen park.   Contact Mark Schneider, Recreation Coordinator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-3412.
  2. Adopt a Road - Volunteers commit two weekends per summer to pick up trash within the road right of way.  Contact Gary Orloff, Public Works Streets Foreman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-2869.
  3. Community Thread - Their mission is to connect people with volunteer opportunities in the community.  Go to their website at www.communitythreadmn.org for more details.
  4. City Advisory Commissions, Committees and Task Forces - The City has a number standing commissions and committees along with project based task forces for which it makes appointments.  Applications are taken year round and are available for download here.  For more information, contact Caron Stransky, City Clerk, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-2814.
    1. Advisory Committee on Historic Places
    2. Community Center Task Force
    3. Cottage Grove Crime Prevention Advisory Board
    4. Economic Development Authority
    5. Human Rights and Services Commission
    6. Lower St. Croix Water Management Organization
    7. Parks and Natural Resources Commission
    8. Planning Commission
    9. Public Safety, Health, and Welface Commission
    10. Public Works Commission
    11. Red Rock Corridor Commission
    12. South Washington County Cable Television Commission
    13. South Washington County Watershed District
    14. Task Force on the Environment
  5. COMMUNITY EVENTS
    1. Arbor Day - The event is held each April (4th Saturday of the month).  Opportunity for landscape, tree, and environmental agencies and companies to showcase and market to the public.  Contact Public Works at 651-458-2808.
    2. Canadian Pacific Holiday Train - The event is held each December; the planning committee meets regularly from August through December.  Contact Public Works at 651-458-2808.
    3. Cottage Grove Ice Arena Events - There are a number of events held at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena each year related to hockey, figure skating, and general use of the facility.  Contact Zac Dockter, Ice/Rec Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-3415.
    4. Night to Unite/National Night Out - The event is held each August (1st Tuesday) in celebration of Crime Free Neighborhoods.  Contact Gail Griffith, Community Affairs Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-6025.
    5. Recreation Department Events - There are a number of events held each year hosted by the Recreation Department.  Contact Molly Pietruszewski, Recreation Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-3404.
    6. Relay for Life - The event, held each July, is a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society and is intended to raise cancer awareness.  Contact our local Relay for Life office at 651-255-8100 or visit www.relayforlife.org. 
    7. River Oaks Golf Course Events - There are a number of events held each year hosted by the River Oaks Municipal Golf Course and Banquet Center.  Contact Sue O'Connell, Banquest Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-438-3627 x4.
    8. Spring Clean-Up/Hazardous Waste Collection Day - The event is held each May (1st Saturday of the month).  Opportunity to dispose of unwanted household goods, electronics, tires, batteries and hazardous materials.  Contact Public Works at 651-458-2808.
    9. Strawberry Fest & Monster Bash- Strawberry Fest is held the 3rd wekkend in June, and the Monster Bash is held every October.  The committee that plans both events meets 2 Mondays per month.  Contact Lori Olsen, Festival President,  at 651-260-1881.
    10. Volunteer Tree Planting - The event is held each May (3rd Saturday, rain or shine) and provides an opportunity to reforest City parks and open spaces.  Contact Public Works at 651-458-2808.
    11. VFW Car Show - The Car Show is held each July (July 19,2009).  Contact Jeff Olsen at 952-440-4309 or go to www.osmanshrine.org for more info.
  6. Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce - The Chamber fosters economic and business growth within Cottage Grove, Newport, and St. Paul Park.  Contact the Chamber via email or at 651-458-8334.
  7. Washington County Community Circles, Inc. - This important group is looking for volunteers to participate 2-3 hours per month in the sentencing of criminal court defendants and in assisting crime victims and community members in the healing process. The Circle process focuses on repairing the harm towards individuals and the community through accountability, responsibility and change. If you are interested in learning more about Circles, Restorative Justice or in becoming a volunteer please call 651-492-4996 or visit www.peacemakingcircles.org.   
  8. Cottage Grove Athletic Association - The CGAA operates youth athletic programming for baseball, soccer, and hockey.  Contact them on their website at www.cgaa.org, or by phone at 651-459-9278.
  9. Cottage Grove Community Gardens - A group of Master Gardeners provides for maintenance of community gardens through the Master Gardener Project which maintains the gardens at the Hyde/East Point Douglas triangle and also Highland Park and the Pineridge Garden Club Project which designs and manages the City Hall Garden.  Contact Public Works at 651-458-2808.
  10. Cottage Grove Lions Club- The Lions is a service club dedicating efforts toward improvement of the community.  Contact Pat Forsythe at 651-458-3989 or visit e-clubhouse.org/sites/cottagegrovemn/
  11. St. Paul Park/Newport Lions Club - This Lions group can be contacted This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text84850); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on their website at www.lionspn.com. 
  12. East Suburban Chaplaincy Corps - The group supports the efforst of Public Safety agencies by offering spiritual guidance and pastoral counseling to persons confronted with crisis experiences, or persons in need of support in times of illness or injury.  Contact CG Police Department at 651-458-2850 for more info.
  13. Election Judges - Part-time election judges are hired for each election cycle; 2 hours of training are provided and judges serve at the polls on Election Day.  An hourly stipend is provided.  Contact Caron Stransky, City Clerk, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-2814.
  14. Fire Department Auxiliary - Auxiliary provides fund raising for the Fire Department.  Contact Rick Redenius, Deputy Fire Chief, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-2855.
  15. Friends in Need Food Shelf - The Food Shelf distributes commodities to persons in need; volunteer opportunities are available.  Contact them at 651-458-0730 or visit www.friendsinneedfoodshelf.org.
  16. Neighborhood Block Watch Captain / Community Watch - Captains provide a communication link between neighborhood residents and the police department and remain alert to suspicious activity in the neighborhood.  Contact Gail Griffith, Community Affairs Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-6025.
  17. Police Reserves - Reserves augment and assist the Police Department with patrol details, prisoner transports, community events and neighborhood watch; meetings are held monthly.  Contact CG Police Dept. at 651-458-2850.
  18. Rec. Works - Youth ages 12-16 can volunteer during any of the summer recreation programs during June, July and August.  Contact Molly Pietruszewski, Recreation Coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-3404.
  19. South Washington County School District #833 - The South District mission is to empower all learners with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for success.  Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the District.  Contact them at 651-458-6300 or visit their website at www.sowashco.k12.mn.us.
  20. Snowmobile Patrol - Members of the Snowmobile Club patrol snowmobile trails informing snowmobilers of rules and regulations for trail used.  Contact Brian Hagen, Snowmobile Club at 651-775-5812.
  21. Stone Soup Thrift Shop - The Thrift Shop provides a drop-off opportunity for new or gently used clothing, furniture, and miscellaneous items for sale or distribution to persons in need; volunteer opportunities are available.  Contact them at 651-458-9786.

AWARDS - Submit nominations/applications

  1. Volunteer of the Year - Awards are granted each April from nominations submitted by the community recognizing persons having volunteered and/or dedicated extraordinary time or resources to the benefit of the community.  Contact Neil Belscamper, Administrative Assistant, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-2878.

  2. Photo Contest - Awards are granted by the City each year for the best photos taken of people, places and landscapes from within the community submitted by professional and novice photographers.  Contact Joe Fischbach, Administration Management Analyst, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-2883

  3. Points of Pride - Awards are granted by the City annually for those landmarks, events, or attractions unique to Cottage Grove which emote a sense of pride among the people who live here.  Contact Ken Smith, Administration Management Analyst, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 651-458-2882.

  4. Cottage Grove Royalty - This group runs the Miss Cottage Grove Pageant and they participate in numerous parades and events representing Cottage Grove.  Contact Lori Olsen at 651-260-1881.

  5. Green Garden Awards - Awards are granted by the City each August for the best residential and commercial gardens within the community from nominations submitted from community members.  Contact Public Works at 651-458-2808.

Community Opportunities