Opportunities From: United Way of Central Iowa

Spread Holiday Cheer to Cancer Patients and Families this Season!

Join us in making the holidays a little brighter for cancer patients and their loved ones. Below are a few meaningful ways you, your family, friends, or colleagues can give back and make a real difference this season.

If you’re interested in participating, please reach out to confirm details and coordinate dates and times. Thank you for helping share hope and comfort this holiday season!

✨ Ways to Give Back:

Host a Warmth & Comfort Drive
Collect cozy blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, and socks for cancer patients traveling to treatments this winter.

Gift Cards for Good
Gather gas, grocery, and restaurant gift cards to help patients and families with transportation and meals during treatment.

Hope Lodge Supply Drive
Support guests staying at the Hope Lodge in Iowa City—individuals and families who must travel far from home for cancer treatment.

Suggested Donation Items:
Community Pantry Items

Kodiak single-serve oatmeal cups

Clif protein bars

Gluten-free single-serve snacks

Canned chicken or tuna

Single-serve rice bowls or packets

Gift Cards

Grocery store gift cards

Gas station gift cards

Paper Products

Bowls, plates, paper towels, tissues, etc.

PARTICIPATE AS A SALES COORDINATOR

Engage in saving lives from cancer by selling potted mum plants within your company/organization, neighborhood, family and friends. There are five great products to promote, a 4 inch potted mum ($12), a 6 inch potted mum ($20), a Gift of Hope mum ($25) or Cancer Care Package ($25) to be delivered cancer patients at Des Moines area cancer centers and a Gift of Gratitude mum ($25) to be delivered to healthcare workers to be delivered to cancer patients at Des Moines area hospitals. We will provide you with all the materials you need in order to be a successful sales coordinator!

We are recruiting sales coordinators to help us promote the campaign and collect orders both in person and online in late July/early August, turn in your orders and then deliver the 4 and 6 inch potted mums to those who purchased towards the end of August (2026 dates are tbd).  We will take care of delivering the Gift of Hope and Gift of Gratitude mums to the local cancer centers for you and those who purchased them.

If you are interested in this opportunity or to hear about other ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society, please respond today!

The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge is a home away from home for cancer patients and a caregiver when their cancer treatment takes them far from home. There are over 30 lodges nationwide with the closest lodges to Central Iowa located in Iowa City, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska and Rochester, Minnesota.  Our lodges provide lodging to patients who have to travel over 40 miles for treatment and come fully furnished thanks to the support of many generous donors. We are always looking for additional support through financial donations, or supplies including non-perishable items, paper products, and many other items that help to provide comfortable and clean home away from home.  If you or your company is interested in supporting our Hope Lodges, please reach out to us for our current "wish list" or supply needs.

There are also other opportunities to volunteer including doing activities with the guests, preparing meals or general housekeeping.  We would be happy to talk to you on how you and your team can give back and make an impact in the fight against cancer.

The Road To Recovery Volunteer Driver provides people with transportation to and from their cancer-related medical appointments. Drivers donate their time to help people with cancer get the lifesaving treatments they need.

As a Road to Recovery driver, you can serve your community and help local people, provide support and encouragement, have rewarding one to one interactions with cancer patients, build relationships and save lives. Road to Recovery offers flexible scheduling, you drive as much or as little as you want when you want.

Volunteers choose the rides that work best for their schedule. Most rides are scheduled during the weekday between 7am and 7pm. The American Cancer Society asks volunteers to commit to a minimum of 2 rides per month.

REQUIREMENTS:
• Between the ages of 18 and 84.
• Valid driver’s license and adequate automobile insurance.
• Access to a safe and reliable vehicle.
• Pass background check and motor vehicle records checks.
• Comfortable using technology with reliable internet access.
• Complete required training and follow through on ride commitments.
• Appreciation and respect for diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and cultures of patients, caregivers, volunteers, and staff.
• Must certify completion of COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to participating in the program and agree to stay up to date with vaccination series, including all recommended vaccine boosters.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Utilize mobile-friendly ride coordination tool to manage transportation requests.
• Follow safe driving procedures and disease transmission guidelines, including COVID-19 safety procedures.
• Abide by American Cancer Society privacy, confidentiality, and program guidelines.
• Participate in program evaluations and promotional opportunities, including new driver recruitment efforts, as applicable.