Volunteering in Sterling Heights

The City has an extensive volunteer system where more than 3,600 resident volunteers contribute thousands of service hours annually. To join a volunteer team, call Community Relations at (586) 446-2470 or fill out this form.

You must be 18 years or older to volunteer for most teams, the Parks & Rec Summer Playground program allows 14 - 15 year olds to volunteer, and volunteers at the Public Library can be under 18 years old.

Sterling Heights SHINE Day

The Citywide cleanup is part of the SHINE (Sterling Heights Initiative for Neighborhood Excellence) program through the Neighborhood Services Division. The program is aimed at protecting property values by encouraging all residents to maintain the exterior of their homes. Neighborhood Services works with civic and church groups to provide volunteers for those residents who cannot maintain their property due to a physical or age-related condition.

Volunteers from area churches, businesses and the Sterling Heights Volunteer Corps will be available on SHINE Day to help residents with such chores as raking, pruning dead flowers and picking up debris. Volunteers will be gathering at First Church of Sterling Heights, at 17 Mile Road on Dequindre. Anyone wishing to help is welcome to join the volunteer groups at either location at 9:30 a.m.

In addition to coordinating the special cleanup day, the SHINE program also encourages residents to join the “Sterling Heights Volunteer Corps” to assist with a variety of City services, SHINE projects and special events throughout the year.

Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade

Thousands of viewers line the 2-mile parade route along Dodge Park for the annual event held each Memorial Day beginning with a ceremony at 9 a.m. and a parade at 10 a.m. Volunteers are needed to lineup parade participants, distribute programs during the ceremony and pass out cold beverages to parade participants.

Youth Sports Programs

Imagine helping along a young child who later becomes a world athlete, the Sterling Heights Parks & Recreation Department needs volunteers to help with a wide variety of youth sports programs.

Adopt A Road

Keeping the streets of Sterling Heights clean, one mile at a time. Groups sign up for this program and pick up litter along their assigned roadway four times per year. The roads are marked with the group's name to let everyone know the fine work the volunteers are doing.

Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Sterling Heights Public Library, organized in 1976, is a volunteer non-profit group dedicated to enhancing and improving library services for our community. Friends contributions, fund-raising activities, and volunteer efforts support adult and youth programs, maintain and improve collections, and provide new technologies and capital improvements.

Police Department (CERT, Neighborhood Watch, Explorers, Citizens on Patrol, etc.)

The police Department offers several volunteer programs. Residents can become as involved as they would like - from heading up a neighborhood Watch team in their subdivision to being trained as a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) member.

SterlingFest

More than 150,000 people visit this 3-day festival that includes, music, good food, arts and crafts, and a midway. Be a part of this exciting event. Volunteers are needed to pass out brochures, booth sit for artists and keep the picnic area clean.

Cultural Exchange

Each year the City celebrates its ethnic diversity through food, information and plenty of entertainment. More than 1,000 people attend this event. Volunteers are needed for registration, entertainment lineup and food serving.

Senior Citizen Activities

The City of Sterling Heights has a very active senior citizen community. Volunteers are always welcome to help out with the many activities held at the Senior Citizen Center.

Summer Playground Program

This Parks and Recreation program provides children ages 5-14 with organized summer fun. The programs are held at local elementary schools and include activities such as sports, arts and crafts, games, special events and much more. Volunteers are need to help with every aspect of the program.