Volunteer

Helping hands welcome.

From decorating and set up to event day and donation drives, our community of volunteers is the heart of every smile. There's a role for every skill set and schedule.

Moments from our community

A glimpse of the joy you'll help create.

Operation North Pole volunteers in green sweatshirts smiling with a young child

Crowd of families and firefighters cheering as guests arrive

Two Operation North Pole firefighter volunteers in red shirts smiling together

A volunteer in a reindeer hat laughing with a child on the decorated train

Longtime Operation North Pole volunteers surrounded by red gift bags ready for delivery

A joyful boy high-fiving a volunteer through a tunnel of firefighters and police officers

Volunteer team riding together in a golf cart at an Operation North Pole event

A firefighter chief greeting families inside a Christmas-decorated train car

A conductor volunteer and Mrs. Claus smiling together aboard the North Pole train

A volunteer holding a small child, both gazing up at a decorated Christmas tree

Two Operation North Pole volunteers in green Fire Dept hoodies smiling together

A volunteer handing teddy bears to children by a decorated train window

A volunteer greeter with the Polar Express conductor on the North Pole train

Elf performers dancing with children in a ballroom of Christmas trees

A smiling boy in a green plaid shirt at Operation North Pole

Children in superhero capes running through the event hall

The Operation North Pole Metra train arriving at Pingree Road station

A wide-eyed young boy in a plaid shirt aboard the train

Girls holding the Operation North Pole banner at Pingree Road station

A note on volunteer access

Because many of our volunteer roles support children and families directly, some opportunities require advance coordination and approval. Please contact Operation North Pole for more information about available volunteer roles.

Volunteer Opportunities

Find where you fit.

Expand any section below to learn more and share your details. Our team will follow up to confirm and coordinate.

Fire / Police Event Day Crew

Uniformed service members supporting families throughout event day.

Decoration Events: Christmas Tree Decorating

Decorate a tree for our event space on December 12 and December 13.

Bring your team, family, or organization to sponsor and decorate a Christmas tree. Trees become part of the magical event space families walk through on event day.

Set Up and Tear Down Decorations

Set up begins December 9 · Tear down begins December 21

Bring your team, family, or group to help transform the event space into a magical holiday experience for the children and families we serve.

Donation Drives

Help collect, sort, and organize donations for our families.

Candy donations are accepted after October 31. We only accept unopened bags of candy. Donations may be dropped off at our office. Please call for more information.

Community Outreach

Train Station Support

Get involved

Corporate Groups

Meaningful service days for your team.

Bring your team for a meaningful service day helping set up or tear down decorations for Operation North Pole. Please contact us for more information about corporate volunteer opportunities.

Plan a team day

Thoughtful onboarding

Because we serve children and families, volunteer roles are coordinated and approved in advance. We'll train, onboard, and pair you with the right team.

Questions?

Reach out and our volunteer coordinator will get back to you with next steps and any approvals needed.

Email onpchicago@gmail.com