top of page

THANK YOU!

Kiwanis Holiday Lights is 100% volunteer operated!  This year, 70 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 18,000 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, $590,000 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

IMG_0601.jpg

2023 VOLUNTEER GROUPS

Aktion Club Theatre of Mankato/
Open Arts Minnesota

Bethany Lutheran College

Blue Earth County Fair Association

BECHS (Blue Earth County Historical Society)

BENCHS (Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society)

Bridges Community School
Camp Sweet Life Adventures

Christ the King Lutheran Church

CADA (Committee Against 
Domestic Abuse)

Ecumen Pathstone Living

Girl Scout Troop 34494 and 39738

Grace Lutheran Church

Gustavus Adolphus College
Greek Life

Gustavus Adolphus Women's
Soccer Team

Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota/ReStore

Harry Meyering Center

Horizon Homes
Immanuel Lutheran School -

Mankato (K-12)
Junior Achievement

Kiwanis Club of Mankato

Lake Crystal Cornerstone
Methodist Church

Lasting Imprint

Leisure Education for Exceptional People (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 Area Youth Baseball Assoc. (MAYBA)

Mankato East Girls Basketball

Mankato East Girls Hockey

Mankato East Softball

Mankato East VEX Robotics
Mankato East/West HOSA

Mankato Educare Foundation

Mankato Family YMCA

Mankato Figure Skating Club

Mankato Makerspace

Mankato Police Explorers

Mankato West Music Booster Club

Mankato West VEX Robotics

Merely Players Community Theatre

Minnesota Power Athletics

MSU, Mankato Aviation Student      Life Program

Minnesota Valley Action Council
 

MSU Aviation Student Life Program

MSU Cheer Team

MSU Circle K

MSU Delta Sigma Pi

MSU Learning Communities

MSU Mavericks - Student Athletes

MSU Pinky Swear Pack

MSU Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity

MN Valley Action Council
Mt. Olive Lutheran School and Church

New Creation Church

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

Saint Peter High School
National Honor Society

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

Youth and Education St. Paul Lutheran Church - Le Center

​

2023 RESTAURANTS THAT DONATE
VOLUNTEER MEALS

1000 Degrees Pizza

Applebee's

Atomic Star Tavern

Boulder Tap House

Casey's General Store

Crooked Pint

Cub Foods West

Dickey's BBQ Pit

Dominos Pizza Riverfront Drive

Ecumen Pathstone Living

Gary's Pizza

Happy Chef

HyVee

Jake's Stadium Pizza

JD's Hideaway

​

Jonny B's Sports Bar

KFC

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 Italian Restaurant

Olives

Pagliai's Pizza

Pappageorge Restaurant & Bar

Perkins

​

Pita Pit

Pizza Hut

Pizza Ranch

Pub 500

Red Lobster

Rounders Sports Bar & Grill

Spinners Bar & Grill

Swiss & Madison

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!

bottom of page