Thank you for your interest in volunteering at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Each year, hundreds of volunteers donate their time and provide much-needed support to our patients and their families. Volunteers serve a variety of roles and deliver the care and services our patient families deserve.
All volunteer placements focus on the patient and family experience, including:
- Playing games and providing activities for children
- Providing respite care in clinical/inpatient settings
- Delivering beverages, toys, and amenities from various carts
We assign volunteer placements based on the current needs of the hospital, along with our volunteers’ availability, interests, and talents. Each placement has its own skill and time requirements. All require excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Volunteers must be able to communicate clearly in English and have the ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time. All volunteers must be able to serve in their volunteer role independently without direct supervision once their training is complete.
If you have specific questions about individual volunteer opportunities at St. Jude, read our Hospital Volunteer FAQs or contact volunteers@stjude.org.
Explore individual opportunities
Explore our individual volunteer opportunities below to learn more about our requirements for future needs.
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Art Assistant Volunteer Opportunities
Art Assistant volunteers help with group activities, one on one interactions, and prepping for future programming in the Family Commons Space designed for outpatients and their families.
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Beverage Cart Volunteer Opportunities
Beverage Cart volunteers spread joy by offering on the spot hot chocolate and coffee to patients their families, and St. Jude staff members each evening.
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Child Life Play Room Volunteer Opportunities
Child Life volunteers provide fun and recreational activities for children of all ages. These volunteers provide a safe, comfortable environment for our patients.
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Doggy Daze Volunteer Opportunities
Doggy Daze volunteers bring joy by sharing their canine friends with St. Jude patients. Learn more about our requirements and apply now.
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Eucharistic Lay Minister Volunteer Opportunities
St. Jude Eucharistic Lay Minister volunteers assist Spiritual Care Services in providing Eucharistic needs to Catholic patients and families.
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Helping Hands Volunteer Opportunities
Helping Hands volunteers provide an extra “helping hand” for our patient families. Volunteers sit with and entertain patients so parents can have a break. Learn more.
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Imagine Academy R.E.A.D. Volunteer Opportunities
The Imagine Academy R.E.A.D Program provides the use of and interaction with School Reading Therapy Dogs to encourage and excite patient’s interest in reading, improve reading skills and support emotional and social benefits.
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Imagine Academy Volunteer Opportunities
Imagine Academy helpers ensure patients continue their educational studies. There are several opportunities to volunteer at Imagine Academy: Classroom Helper, Explore Lab, and Homework Helper.
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Music Room Volunteer Opportunities
Music Room volunteers aid the St. Jude team of music therapists with helping patients and families access instruments and resources, facilitating karaoke, and providing general help such as keeping the area safe and tidy.
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St. Jude Happy Cart Volunteer Opportunities
The St. Jude Happy Cart volunteers roll through the hospital spreading joy through donated games, crafts and toys. Learn more about this unique volunteer opportunity.
Review our volunteer eligibility requirements and application process >>
Volunteer with St. Jude Housing
Volunteering in our housing facilities offers an up close and personal experience right in the home away from home of our patients and their families. If you live in the greater Memphis area, there are plenty of ways to get involved as an individual volunteer.
Currently, evening and weekend opportunities are only available through Housing.