Volunteerism

The American Lung Association in Iowa is looking for event volunteers to help with the 2024 Fight for Air Climb on Sunday, April 7th from 6:30 am – 1:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for students seeking to fulfill their Silver Cord hours while making a positive impact in the community.  

The 2024 Fight For Air Climb is the American Lung Associations main fundraising event in Iowa. Participants climb the stairs of four prominent buildings in downtown Des Moines to raise funds and awareness for lung disease and lung health.

We anticipate having 800 participants at this year’s event and we need the help of volunteers to make it happen! Some of the areas where volunteers are needed on event day are: Greeters, Gear check, Registration, Start & Finish lines, Motivators, and Finish Line Celebrators

The tentative schedule is:

6:15 - 6:30 AM - Arrive and check in at the Wellmark YMCA, 501 Grand Ave., Des Moines. We will hand out t-shirts and assign volunteer positions at this time.

6:45 AM – Volunteer briefing at the Wellmark YMCA.

7:00 AM – Individuals will be escorted to their volunteer position.

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Event concludes and volunteers are released to go home based on their assigned area.

Parking is available in the city garage on 5th Ave and Keo Way (enter on 5th Ave). Street parking is also available. Volunteers may enter through Wellmark YMCA on the skywalk or street level.  

Please sign up to volunteer using this Form, or share this link with your organization.

FIND MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER HERE

• Silver Cord Volunteer Award (open to dual-enrolled students also):

Ames High School, as part of its mission to provide students with opportunities to develop to their fullest potential and become valuable members of society, implemented the Silver Cord Service Program beginning the fall of 2021. Students who interact positively within their community will not only benefit the community, but will also develop their own leadership and citizenship skills.  To encourage and reward volunteerism and community service, the Silver Cord program will recognize students each year who have made contributions to their community through service.    

Students who have completed 140 hours of volunteer service during their high school career will be awarded the silver cord and recognized at their senior graduation. Note: Even though dual -enrolled students don't participate in graduation, AHS will still award dual-enrolled students with silver cord recognition. It is suggested that students complete 35 hours of service activities per year to reach the total 140 hours.  However, students may accumulate their 140 hours in varying amounts during their four years of high school.  Verification forms must be completed for each activity for which a student volunteers.  These forms should be submitted to your counselor so that they can be added to the student’s service file.  To be considered, verification forms must be completed and submitted by the end of the school year for any service activity completed during that school year or the previous summer.   More information and for the verification form can be found here.