Volunteering

Make a Difference!

A great city is built by many things including the dedication of volunteers.  Volunteers help contribute to the spirit of community.  The City of Portage encourages people to find ways to make a difference in the Portage community.  The following provides information and links to volunteer opportunities within the City of Portage. 


Portage Parks & Recreation 

Submit Application Form

202107fridayattheflats092 Opens in new windowThere are many opportunities for individuals and groups of all sizes to make a difference in Portage Parks! Citizens, church groups, corporate groups and service organizations often provide much-needed manpower for important projects. Extra help is always needed at many Portage Parks & Recreation events.

Projects and events range from:

  • Park cleanup
  • Park Patrol
  • Event set-up and decorating
  • Help with event activities and education stations
  • Trash patrol and pick-up during events
  • Survey administration and assistance
  • Overseeing event functions (building tours, help at the Parks & Recreation table, restocking supplies, etc.) 
  • Projects tailored to you or your group

Click on the "Submit Application Form" link above to learn more about specific projects and events or to apply.  

Are you looking to adopt a park? Visit the Adopt-A-Park webpage HERE. 


Charles & Lynn Zhang Portage Community Senior Center

Charles and Lynn Zhang Portage Community Senior Center 009The Charles & Lynn Zhang Portage Community Senior Center provides a variety of opportunities for volunteers. We accept applications from individuals and groups who may want to assist with special events or on-going activities.  Some events are episodic are one time and include drive-thru events, luncheons and special events. On-going opportunities include facility tour guides, member resource assistants, Metro Community Service van drivers, administrative clerical assistants and group leaders. The Charles & Lynn Zhang Portage Community Senior Center is currently not accepting volunteer applications. Volunteer applications will reopen this fall.


City Clerk's Office 

Submit Application Formclerks volunteer photo Opens in new window

The City Clerk is always in need of volunteers to assist with elections, filing and other light, administrative work. Volunteers should possess a strong attention to detail and be able to alphabetize. Click on the "Submit Application Form" link above to learn more about or apply for volunteer opportunities with the City Clerk's Office.


Boy Scout & Girl Scout Programs

Submit Application Form

City staff work directly with individual Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award candidates to design a service project that matches your skills and ambitions.


Advisory Boards and Commissions

Visit the Boards and Commissions page to get started.

Do you have some great ideas? Can you commit time each month to your community? The Portage City Council relies on community volunteers for a variety of services and periodically asks Advisory Boards and Commissions to review programs developed by the City Administration and make recommendations. Meeting times and responsibilities of each of the Boards and Commissions vary.


Community Beautification Projects

Submit Application Form

There are many opportunities for individuals and groups of all sizes to make a difference in Portage! Church groups, corporate citizens and service organizations often provide much-needed manpower for important beautification projects in the city. Projects range from park cleanup, park shelter upgrades, cleaning buildings at Celery Flats and other projects tailored to you or your group.

Donate Dollars

City Centre Flowers

Each spring, with the assistance of Kalamazoo In Bloom, the city transforms the Portage City Centre into a vibrant, thriving sea of color and texture. You may have noticed in recent years, however, that the number of flowers planted in the City Centre - and in other flowerbeds across the city - have been reduced. Like the water features, flowers add to the beauty and quality of life in Portage and residents often ask if they can donate to the purchase of flowers. Please donate - download and print a donation form (PDF) to designate your tax-deductible donation to the Parks fund for the purchase of flowers.


Friends of Portage Senior Center

Visit the Friends of the Portage Senior Center website to make your tax-deductible contribution.

Did you know that the Portage Zhang Senior Center (PZSC) is only partially funded by the City of Portage? More than 50 percent of operating funds are raised by staff, PZSC members and the Friends of the Portage Senior Center. Additional funds for operating expenses and other equipment and building needs are raised through membership fees, special fund raising events, trips, occasional grants, participant fees, donations and memorial gifts.