Get Involved
Licensing for Volunteers
All volunteers working with children for more than one hour per week must have a Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification and a Boise City Child Care Worker license. We occasionally provide Pediatric CPR and First Aid courses at a reduced cost based on demand.
To obtain your Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification, contact American Safety and Health Institute for their class schedule. You are also welcome to use a different provider. The provider must use one of the following Pediatric CPR/First Aid curriculum: American Red Cross, American Heart Association or American Safety and Health Institute.
To obtain your Boise City Child Care Worker license, you must have your Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification first. Take the certification and your Boise City Child Care license application to City Hall to apply for your child care worker license.
Volunteer opportunities requiring childcare license are Rocking Grandmas and classroom helpers.
How Can You Get Involved?
Little Shoes Big Dreams Tours
Attend a Little Shoes Big Dreams tour to learn about the three areas of Giraffe Laugh’s work: ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures. We recommend attending a tour as one of the first things people can do when they want to get involved. Tours are available virtually or in person!
Virtual tours last about 30 minutes. Sign up for a virtual Little Shoes Big Dreams Tour by visiting our Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044eacad2ca5f85-giraffe3.
In person tours last about an hour. Contact cassandra@giraffelaugh.org to schedule an in person tour.
Ambassador
This is the most important volunteer role you can take on. Help spread the word about the work Giraffe Laugh is doing. So simple! Bring ten people you know to a Little Shoes Big Dreams Tour. We have 30 minute virtual tours held bi-monthly. Contact cassandra@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Board Member
Our board is made up of a diverse group of community leaders. Board members coordinate and enhance our mission to ensure school readiness, empower families and build strong futures. Contact lori@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Committee Member
Do you have business acumen in a certain field and want to help? Join one of our committees: Finance, Strategic Planning, Visibility, and Sustainability. Most committees meet monthly and some meet less. Contact lori@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Rocking Grandmas (But not just for grandmas!)
Teachers often need extra hands to rock infants. This opportunity is available at all centers. Childcare license required. Contact lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Food Bank Pickup and Delivery
Help us fill our food pantry which is at every center. Volunteers go to the Idaho Food Bank warehouse twice per month to pick up food and deliver to our centers. Requirements: Volunteers must be able to transport food to Giraffe Laugh locations and have the ability to lift up to 40 pounds, bend, and squat. Contact cassandra@giraffelaugh.org or lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Administrative Assistant
This volunteer helps our development and management staff with every day, administrative tasks at the main office, along with helping to plan and execute events. Contact lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Center Helpers
Classroom helpers: assist teachers with a variety of activities, such as reading to children, setting nap time routines, field trips and more. Childcare license required.
Donation helpers: Sort incoming donations and delivering items where they are needed. Contact lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Life Baskets
Help a Giraffe Laugh family or staff member in need by donating a basket full of everyday items such as toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotions, washcloths, etc. Contact cassandra@giraffelaugh.org or lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Seasonal Opportunities
Yard Care
We need volunteers to pull weeds, sweep sidewalks, mow a small amount of grass and rake leaves or shovel snow depending on the season.Adopt a Family for Christmas
This program pairs donors with families who need help during the holiday season. The holidays can be stressful for low-income families wondering if they will be able to provide for their children. Family adoptions can be done by groups, offices or families. The donor brings items from the family’s wish list to us, and we distribute them to grateful families.Contact cassandra@giraffelaugh.org or lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Holiday Food Baskets
You can help us provide holiday meals to families who are unable to afford them. Donors sign up to provide a number of items (ex: hams, turkeys, green beans, stuffing, etc.) and can even help assemble baskets. Contact cassandra@giraffelaugh.org or lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Event Volunteer
Giraffe Laugh has several events throughout the year. Volunteers help with setting up and taking down decorations and event items, greeting guests, collecting donations, and more. Contact lynnsey@giraffelaugh.org for more information.
Parent Opportunities
Parent Advisory Committee
We welcome parents to join a committee where your child attends. Committee members are a guiding force for the center. Meetings held every other month. Please contact your child’s center director for more information.
We can see the future from here!
Giraffe Laugh is a local nonprofit that provides early childhood education and nurturing to 150 Treasure Valley children annually by ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures.
Giraffe Laugh has two full time centers serving children from birth to five years old, a full-time preschool program that serves children from three and a half to five years old, and a summer program that serves children that are of school-age.