The 2026 CGC Volunteer-A-Thon

Remember pledge drives, when you could earn money for a cause and prizes for yourself by reading books, selling magazines, or walking all night? Ahhh...the good old days... 

But wait a minute. We're grown now, and we can do what we want—like hold a Volunteer-A-Thon complete with nostalgic, garden-themed trackers and prizes along the way! From July 31 to November 20, you can help us grow toward our collective goal of $5,000 and 250 volunteer hours. Every CGC volunteer opportunity counts, from one-off workdays to ongoing commitments. Every registered participant who attends one workday and gets one sponsor will receive a t-shirt and a CGC class credit, and each month we'll hold a raffle for eligible Volunteer-A-Thon-ers.

Volunteering your time and talents is an amazing gift to the CGC, and we hope that participating in our Volunteer-A-Thon will bring a smile to your face while making your impact go even further. We are so grateful to have you on our team!

Step 1: Register

This is how we know you’re participating! Over the course of the Volunteer-A-Thon, we will keep you updated on opportunities and send you all the links and information you’ll need. All registered participants who complete one workday and get one sponsor by the end of the event will receive a CGC t-shirt and a $20 credit toward the CGC class of their choice (good thru 2027)!

Have a friend who’d like to participate with you? Invite them to work together with you—or start up a friendly competition to see who can reach their goal first!

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

Going analog? Print a copy of the tracker and pledge sheet we’ll send you when you register (or pick up a copy from the CGC). 

Participating digitally? Using our platform, create a personalized page that your sponsors will use to make their donations, then download our tracker and pledge spreadsheets (or set up a system you prefer). 

Step 3: Recruit Sponsors

Ask your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, classmates—or anyone else!—to sign up. They can pledge a dollar amount per hour or workday that you volunteer with the CGC during the event. They can also donate a flat amount in honor of your volunteer service—whatever they prefer. Record their pledges on your paper or digital pledge sheet.

Step 4: Volunteer!

From Friday, July 31 to Friday, November 20, 2026, volunteer with the CGC in a community garden, on our grounds, as a field trip facilitator, at the Fall Native Plant Festival, restoring a greenspace, compiling our community herbarium, or any of our other opportunities. Keep track of your hours using the digital or printed tracker we provide (or another system you prefer).

Each month, we’ll also have a raffle for eligible participants. Prizes include houseplants, gift cards, a one-year Individual CGC Membership, and more! Stay tuned…we’ll be sharing details with registered participants by email. 

Step 5: Collect Pledges

When the Volunteer-A-Thon ends, tally up your hours, then send each sponsor who pledged the total amount they owe so they can make their donations. Don’t worry, we’ll send you details on how to do this as the end of the event approaches.

Step 6: Celebrate!

Come celebrate the end of an amazing season with us at our Winter Open House on the evening of Friday, December 4. We can’t thank you enough for all you do to support the CGC!

Ready to go?

Sign up here and we’ll email you all the links and information you need! 

Questions? Reach out to volunteer@civicgardencenter.org