Guilderland YMCA

Celebrate Diwali—the Festival of Lights—with the Guilderland YMCA! This free, family-friendly celebration brings our community together through music, dance, song, art, décor, and traditions shared by our Indian, Bangladeshi, and Nepali neighbors. Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and the hope, renewal, and connection found through community. Volunteers help create a warm, welcoming, and well-organized experience for everyone attending. Opportunities include event setup and decorating, greeting and directing guests, supporting performers and activities, assisting with sweets and hospitality, maintaining safe crowd flow, and helping with cleanup and facility reset. No previous knowledge of Diwali is required. YMCA staff and committee members will provide instructions and cultural context for each assignment. Volunteers should be welcoming, dependable, flexible, and comfortable engaging with guests of all ages and backgrounds. Photo: “Diya set in a rangoli” by siddarth varanasi, CC BY 2.0.