Thank you for your
interest!
We are grateful for your generosity.
As a Grotto volunteer you are part of a legacy to the Portland community and to our
visitors from the global community. We hope that volunteer service here will bring you
personal fulfillment.
We have volunteer opportunities available both year around and on an on-call basis for
seasonal, last minute or one-time activities. Members of our volunteer staff are asked to
serve at least one shift a month. They help at a particular task on a regular schedule. We
also have volunteers who serve on-call to cover in the case of illness, vacations, etc.,
of our volunteer staff. Other volunteers help out seasonally for our special events, with
some of them working just one day per a year, while others help with many of the events.
The volunteer application as well as contact information are listed at the bottom of
this page.
Some of the areas where volunteers serve at The Grotto include:
Welcome Center/Gift Shop
Volunteer duties include selling merchandise and elevator tokens, stocking supplies,
and assisting customers. Volunteers are not responsible for the Coffee Express. Training
is provided.
Visitor Complex
Volunteers sell various gift items and elevator tokens to Grotto visitors. The Visitor
Complex also serves as an information area. Weekend volunteers also serve as the
receptionist for The Grotto. Two shifts are available daily: 9am-1pm and 1pm - 5 PM. Some
shorter shifts can be arranged on Sunday. Training is provided.
The Grotto Conference Center
In the Conference Center, volunteers help set up, serve and clean up catered events.
Volunteers can also assist in the kitchen with food preparation. Dates and times vary.
Office
Volunteers assist with various office duties, such as copying, sorting, data entry and
telephone receptionist. The main office is staffed by volunteers Monday through Friday
from 9 AM to 5 PM. Morning and afternoon shifts are available.
Grounds
Volunteers are needed to help maintain pathways, shrubs, flower beds, and all paved
areas. Duties include weeding, watering in summer, raking debris and cleaning pathways.
Donut Cart
Volunteers staff the Donut Cart on Sundays from the beginning of May through the end of
October. The Cart is located on the Plaza outside the Visitor Complex. Training is
provided. Shifts are available between 9 AM and 2 PM.
Tour Guides
Volunteer tour guides are needed throughout the year. Guides conduct walking tours of
the upper and lower level grounds and provide a short history of The Grotto. The tour
takes about one hour and covers a mile and a half stretch of gardens and pathways. Guides
must have the ability to walk at a normal pace and work in various weather conditions.
Training and materials are provided.
Special Events
The Grotto has special events throughout the year. The largest events include the
Christmas Festival of Lights from late November throughout December, the annual
dinner/dance/auction in September, Mother's Day Brunch, various concerts throughout the
year and the International Freedom Sunday in July.
Our continued success is in your volunteer hands. We'd love
your help!
For more information about volunteering at The Grotto,
please fill out Our Volunteer
Application Form by clicking this line.
Mailing address:
The Grotto
Attention: Nancy Blake, Volunteer Coordinator
PO Box 20008,
Portland, OR 97294-0008
Email: volunteer@thegrotto.org
Or the direct line to call the volunteer coordinator is 503-261-2433.
