Volunteer Opportunity Column for November 13, 2008

One of the goals of United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center is to recruit and match volunteers for non-profit organizations needing your help in south Wood and Adams Counties.  The following are this week’s volunteer opportunities.

FAITH IN ACTION OF ADAMS COUNTY:  Volunteers are needed for a number of clients who do not drive.  These clients need help with running errands, shopping, medical appointments, etc.  Some requests are time specific; some requests can be scheduled around volunteer’s availability.  Gas cards are available.  Volunteers are required to complete an application and training.  Insurance coverage is included.

HOME DELIVERED MEALS:  Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver hot, nutritious meals Monday through Friday to residents in Wisconsin Rapids, Port Edwards, Nekoosa and Biron.  These residents are unable to prepare their own meals.  Time commitment is an hour and a half per day; each route consists of 12-14 stops.  Volunteers are especially needed on Thursdays and Fridays; also Monday through Friday to deliver meals to Park Place.  Drivers need to be 16 years of age, be available from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm daily, have a valid driver’s license, and need to provide their own vehicles and coolers.

NEIGHBORHOOD TABLE:  Volunteers needed November 13, 20 and 27 (Thanksgiving Day).  The Neighborhood Table serves free meals every Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00 at St. John’s Episcopal Church to the economically disadvantaged.  The Neighborhood Table welcomes ALL volunteers over the age of 15 who wish to help out.  There are staff members present to guide volunteers.

SOUTH WOOD COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY:  Volunteers are needed to clean cat and dog kennels, do laundry, wash litter pans, and general clean up every morning from 8:00am – 12:00pm.  Volunteers are also needed to do laundry, maintain the dog and cat kennels and grounds, groom cats and walk dogs from 12:00pm – 5:00pm.  Volunteers are required to love animals!

SOUTH WOOD EMERGENCY PANTRY SHELF:  Groups of volunteers are needed to sort food donations and stock shelves.  Donations of non-perishable food also needed as well as:  paper towels, bathroom tissue, dish soap, shampoo, laundry soap, bar soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

For further information on these listed openings, to register as a volunteer or if your non-profit organization offers volunteer opportunities, contact United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center at 715-421-0390 or go to our website at www.volunteerwoodcounty.org. To view all donations needed, or if your non-profit organization needs a donated item, go to our website and click on GoodsMatch.