Volunteer
Volunteer for the 2026 COTS Phonathon
The COTS Phonathon takes place from Monday, November 30th to Thursday, December 3rd, 2026. Call times are 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each evening, with daytime shift options on Tuesday, December 1st from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, or 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can participate as many nights as you would like. All volunteering can be done virtually, but on Monday, November 30, we’re also hosting an optional in-person kickoff event at 95 North Avenue with food, drinks, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
The Phonathon is one of our longest-running and most important fundraising efforts, supporting more than half of COTS’ annual budget. Since the 1980s, volunteers have come together during the week after Thanksgiving to ask donors to make a gift in support of our work. It’s a meaningful tradition held in a warm, holiday setting!
Support our biggest fundraiser of the year, it's essential to keeping our programs strong and thriving!
Volunteer for the COTS Phonathon!
General Volunteer Help
You can volunteer for COTS in many ways, and we appreciate all types of skills and areas of expertise. COTS volunteer needs are constantly changing, so if you’d like to stay up-to-date on our volunteer opportunities, we encourage you to fill out our brief volunteer application to keep you on our volunteer list.
Join our general volunteer list
Help needed throughout the year:
- First Sunday in May COTS Walk
- First Saturday in August Back to School Bonanza
- Week after Thanksgiving in November /December Phonathon
See the "get involved" tab to learn more.
Respite Provider
Where: COTS Family Shelter, 278 Main Street Burlington, VT
When: anytime Monday-Friday 9 am to 9 pm (flexible, based on need)
Who: Adults 18+, background check needed, experience working with infants and young children
What: As a Respite Provider, you will provide short-term respite (up to 2 hours) for 1-2 children living in shelter. Caregivers will remain in shelter and be available to assist when needed during respite. A COTS staff member will be present for support. The family will provide supplies and food as needed for the duration of the respite.
Activity Facilitator
Where: COTS Family Shelter, 278 Main Street Burlington, VT
When: Monday-Friday 4 pm to 8 pm (flexible) or anytime on the weekends
Who: Adults 18+, background check needed, experience working in education or mental health
What: As an Activity Facilitator, you will prepare and facilitate a short activity (up to 2 hours) for our families in shelter. Possible activities include arts and crafts for all ages, social and emotional learning for youth, and much more! Ideal activities will promote mental health and well-being, child development, and social connection.
