Volunteer Needs From: United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center

This is a flexible assignment that depends on the rider’s needs and the volunteer’s availability.      

Drivers transport seniors, people with disabilities and clients of Health and Human Services to a variety of appointments and activities. These may include medical appointments, nutrition programs, Adult Day Center, grocery shopping, and essential personal business appointments. Drivers may accept or refuse requests based upon their schedules or personal preferences.

Position Description/Responsibilities:  The Volunteer Driver Program provides transportation services to eligible residents of Portage County throughout Wisconsin. Volunteers use their own vehicles to take people to necessary appointments. Due to the nature of this assignment, the volunteer must be fit to drive safely and assist the passenger accordingly.

Volunteers will:

·        Communicate with Central Transportation to schedule rides and record miles and hours driven.

·        Provide safe and reliable transportation. 

·        Collect and submit rider donations.  

·        Allow those unable to drive, the ability to continue living independently.  

Required Qualifications/Skills:  Must maintain a valid Wisconsin driver’s license and safe driving record.  Auto insurance policy must have the minimum liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage required by the State of Wisconsin.  Vehicles must be kept in safe operating condition.

Caring, patient, safety-minded individual with good communication skills, ability to listen non-judgmentally, ability to maintain confidentiality.

Tuesdays or Thursdays | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Help serve a warm, nutritious noon meal to guests at our Lincoln Center dining site. Volunteers assist with serving, light clean-up, and may help with fun activities during mealtime.

Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Help keep our home-delivered meal coolers clean and sanitized. This behind-the-scenes role is vital to keeping our meal program safe and running smoothly.

Hello!  We're looking for a volunteer to take blood pressure readings for participants at the Rosholt Senior Dining Site at the Legion Hall 290 Grand Ave once per month, on the 2nd or 4th Thursday of the month and the Junction City Dining Site at Park Lodge 224 Park Ave on the 1st or 3rd Thursday of the month.  Readings typically take place from 11:15am-12:15pm.  Equipment may be provided, or you may use your own.  If you are qualified and interested please get in touch, our senior participants really appreciate this service!

Volunteers deliver meals for homebound seniors throughout Portage County as part of the ADRC's Rural Home Delivered Meal Program.  If you want to really make a difference in someone's life this is for you! A mileage stipend is available.  Number of Volunteers Needed:   15-20

Commitment is approximately 1 ½ - 2 hours between 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Routes are primarily in the villages and rural areas of Portage County, but in most cases start and end at the Lincoln Center in Stevens Point.

Scheduling can be flexible and we'd be happy to talk to you about what works for your schedule.  

You must be 55 years of age or older to volunteer as a part of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program but our nutrition program is happy to accept volunteers of any age so long as they can drive and pass a background check.

Current open routes are:

-Almond on Thursday.  The route it is approximately 80 miles.  The route leaves Lincoln Center at 10:35 and returning approx.. 12:30 to 1:00 PM

-Substitute drivers

“Stay Strong & Connected: Teach Bingocize at Lincoln Center!

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County is piloting a new evidence-based program, called Bingocize®, and need an exercise leader/Bingo-caller to help make it happen!  The leader will be expected to travel throughout Portage County for pop-up workshops in addition to the events at Lincoln Center.

Bingocize® is a fun, 10-week program that combines exercise and health education with the familiar game of Bingo. The class meets twice a week for 45 - 60 minutes to get some activity in, socialize, learn, and win prizes.

Leader training is available online and covered by the ADRC of Portage County.

Interested in learning more about this opportunity? Contact the Health Promotion Coordinator at 715-346-1401.

What better way to have fun while becoming stronger than leading a Bingocize® class?”

General Volunteer Position

·                 Register crafter merchandise on Friday mornings

·                 Register crafter merchandise on Tuesday morning October – December

·                 Create merchandise price tags with provided software

·                 Create merchandise displays in Holly Shoppe

·                 Help with bake sales and/or rummage sales

Retail Volunteer Position

·                 Check out customers

·                 Provide product information

·                 Create shop displays

·                 Record special order information

·                 Answer telephones

·                 Answer basic questions

·                 Take messages when needed

·                 Complete shop housekeeping

·                 Administrative tasks/needs:

·        Record sales data

·        Etc.

The Charles F. Fernandez Center for Alternative Learning is looking for Wood Working Shop Mentors.  

Job Parameters: 1 to 2 days per week.  1 to 2 hour sessions, approximately 9am-10am and/or 1pm-2pm.

Job Description/Responsibilities: Work one-on-one with students(age 13-18) on a variety of woodworking projects with the goal of encouraging students to develop self-esteem, confidence, pride, and patience.

Required Qualifications/Skills: Some knowledge of woodworking and power tools; attention to safety issues and housekeeping.  Ability to work with at-risk students; be non-judgmental, patient, open minded, flexible, and compassionate.  Ability to adjust to interruptions, occasional disrespect, and challenging behaviors.  Ability to maintain confidentiality, understanding that all information learned about a student must be kept confidential.

If you are handy but lack experience doing wood-working specifically our volunteers are happy to train you.

This volunteer position is responsible for the record-keeping of foot care clinic participants.  The volunteer will assist with scheduling appointments, collecting payments, and checking in participants on the day of their appointments.  The Clinic runs on the 1st, 3d, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays and Thursdays of each month.  Volunteers won't be required to volunteer each day, only when available.  

Provide interaction with clients.  As the volunteer, encourage and assist each client during planned activities in the day service and in the community.  Volunteers are encouraged to share their own talents, (musical, writing, artistic, etc) to enhance the day service.

Activities can be, but are not limited to:

Recommended Qualifications:

Help is needed to transport veterans to and from VA approved appointments at local and out of town hospitals, clinics, or approved Non-VA facilities.  Vehicles are provided by the Disabled American Veterans and kept at the Central Transportation office.  Volunteers will pick up and drop off the DAV vehicles at this location.  

The DAV strives to treat every veteran with the dignity and respect they deserve for their service.  DAV drivers are all volunteers and are not compensated.  They donate their time to help veterans who do not have the means for getting to their appointments.  DAV wants to ensure every VA registered veteran is provided timely and professional transportation to VA medical facilities to get the care they need.  

Required Qualifications/Skills: Must maintain a valid Wisconsin driver's license, safe driving record and over all good health.  Caring, patient, friendly, safety-minded individual with good communication skills, ability to listen non-judgmentally, ability to maintain confidentiality.  

Are you looking for an opportunity to belong to a group that offers their skills and time as volunteers to benefit the community?  Silver Threads is comprised of individuals with varied skills, who offer their sewing talents to meet the needs of individual organizations within the Portage County community.  Silver Threads is seeking individuals to join our expanding group. We hold meetings the 2nd & 4th Tuesday's of every month from 1-3 pm. There is a workday scheduled the Friday following the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Both are held within the Lincoln Center.  Belong to a group that makes an impact in the community! See you there!

Hospital Escort(PACE) Volunteers needed:

Job duties consist of greeting, directing and assisting hospital patients and visitors.  You will be volunteering in a team environment, being social is definitely a plus.    

The following are requirements to volunteer:

RSVP volunteers are required to be 55 or over, however this opportunity is available to non-RSVP volunteers as well.  

Call Lindy at 715-346-1409 for more details.  

Position Description/Responsibilities:

Assist participants with necessary equipment and preparation for the virtual dementia tour. Administer pre and post tests and assist with maintaining equipment and supplies. Observe and record participant behavior. Training will be provided.  Responsibilities will be assigned depending on volunteer’s comfort level and abilities.

Anticipated Impact of This Volunteer Activity on Organization and/or Clients Served:  

Help community members, professionals, businesses, and various other groups to enhance awareness of dementia. The virtual tour gives participants a first-hand feel of what it’s really like to live with dementia. This helps to create a better understanding and awareness of those who may have previously been unexposed to this disease as well as enhancing awareness for caregivers.

To qualify as a volunteer for RSVP you must be 55 years of age or older.  You can also volunteer for this position without being a member of RSVP.