United Way of Dane County brings together over 600 volunteers at Day of Caring event supported by Serve Wisconsin and the AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund

Serve Wisconsin was happy to be able to support the United Way of Dane County’s Day of Caring event again this year through a mini-grant provided by AmeriCorps’s Volunteer Generation Fund. These mini-grants aim to increase the volunteer capacity of Wisconsin nonprofits and other entities by funding activities such as volunteer recruitment, engagement, training, days of service, and disaster preparedness. In addition to supporting the Day of Caring through the mini-grant funding, the staff at Serve Wisconsin, along with some of their children, volunteered throughout the event to assist in the packing of ImPacks by collecting and packaging items that are frequently needed but not typically donated or covered by assistance programs.

This year’s event took place on August 19 at Breese Stevens Field, with over 600 participants creating 9,000 ImPacks to be distributed to people in need in Dane County. Volunteers at the event packed 4,000 Paper Product ImPacks (paper towels and toilet paper), 3,000 Menstrual Hygiene ImPacks, 2,000 Healthy Snack ImPacks, and 250 backpacks with school supplies. Participants also wrote more than 1,000 notes of encouragement for local students and donated several barrels full of non-perishable food items that will be distributed through Community Action Coalition, Porchlight, The Road Home Dane County, Second Harvest Foodbank, and WayForward Resources.

The event successfully brought community members from numerous organizations and businesses that came together to volunteer and make a difference for others. Initial estimate by the United Way of Dane County is that, collectively, the volunteers and staff had an economic impact of $57,846 in the community through the Day of Caring event.

Easterseals Wisconsin AmeriCorps members provide a fun-filled and accessible summer camp experience for over 850 individuals with disabilities

The AmeriCorps members with Easterseals Wisconsin provide intensive personal care and lead or facilitate therapeutic recreation activities for individuals with disabilities and their families at Camp Wawbeek and Respite Camp each year. This summer, the Easterseals Wisconsin AmeriCorps members helped provide an accessible summer camp experience for 856 youth and adult campers, serving 348 campers at Respite Camp and 508 campers at Camp Wawbeek.

Below are excerpts from reflections by three of the Easterseals Wisconsin AmeriCorps members that served this summer, with links to their full reflections.

Olivia Williams – Read Olivia’s full reflection here

When I think back on my time at Camp Wawbeek, one of the recurring sentiments that I have is that time itself did not feel real during my duration there. I arrived in Wisconsin Dells, WI on May 18th. Driving straight from Texas and having no knowledge of the area, I had very little insight of what I was getting myself into. Everything felt new: new place, new friends/co-workers, and a population I had never worked with before…

Once training was over and camp started, however, I knew for certain that there was no other place that I would rather be…It was hard work, don’t get me wrong. Every new session was a new adventure and challenge all in the same. The personal care for each camper could sometimes take hours. Sometimes it was impossible to find a program or activity that could interest someone. I was constantly thinking about my campers’ health and engagement and safety, worried that I wasn’t measuring up to the level of competence my campers needed me at….

The days were long but the weeks also felt impossibly short. In no time at all, I felt as though I had known each of my campers for much longer than the short amount of time we were allotted and there were times when saying goodbye felt nearly impossible. But I will carry the connections I made with the campers and their families/caregivers for the rest of my life. Ultimately, there are not enough words to express my gratitude for being able to serve through AmeriCorps at Easterseals Wisconsin. Though my time there felt short, the impact that it had on me and the community I served will last forever.

Ophelia Swallen - Read Ophelia’s full reflection here

Getting the opportunity to serve as a Respite Apprentice at Camp Wawbeek, Easterseals Wisconsin has been an inspiring and rewarding journey. I had no idea the true depth of what my summer was going to teach me and how much I would grow as a person. Through my experience as a counselor, I created bonds with campers I never dreamed possible. Every Sunday, when the campers arrived, it felt like day one all over again, not sure what I was doing or if campers would enjoy their time here at camp with me. However, by Friday morning both the campers and I ended up learning so much about each other and what drives each of us. I learned how they communicated their needs and desires, what to do in tough situations, and overall, there was an unbelievable sense of belonging and love for everyone at camp. I was able to gain a new perspective on campers' day-to-day lives at home and the responsibilities of their care givers…

One of my favorite things about camp is the fact that every single camper has a unique experience. I feel so grateful to have been able to serve here at camp and excited that I got to meet hundreds of wonderful people, campers, caregivers, counselors, and volunteers. I know I have made a difference in this community, and this community has made an ever-lasting difference in my life.

Sierra Baldwin – Read Sierra’s full reflection here

Being a Respite Apprentice over this summer has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Not only did my summer of service provide me with foundational skills for my future as a Social Worker, it also taught the patience necessary for working with vulnerable populations, as well as opened opportunities to learn from people with diverse cultures and perspectives. The campers I had the privilege to care for gave me a new appreciation for being able to meet people where they are, enjoying life at all its stages, and showing the value of community. I loved to see the campers create lasting friendships, counselors banding together to uplift and support each other during hard times, and volunteers donate their time to come give support for the people in their community.

Marshfield Clinic Community Corps AmeriCorps member organizes Reading Under the Lights event

This August, Rebecca King is completing her second term as an AmeriCorps member with Marshfield Clinic Health System - Community Corps at the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties. As part of her service, Rebecca created the idea of hosting a Reading Under the Lights event. Over the next several months she planned and successfully implemented it under the guidance of her host site supervisor, Elizabeth Bols, Executive Director of United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties, and with the assistance of numerous volunteers, community partnerships, and sponsorships.

Reflecting on the difference Rebecca has made during her service, Elizabeth Bols described that “the most significant impact Rebecca has had on our program was leading the very first ‘Reading Under the Lights’ event. Their leadership brought together over 100 families, community leaders, and local libraries for a one-of-a-kind night that provided free books to children and promoted literacy in a fun, memorable way. This event not only supported our mission but also strengthened community connections and created a tradition we hope to carry forward.”

Below is the reflection by Rebecca King about the impact of the Reading Under the Lights event earlier this summer:

For the first time ever, our community came together for Reading Under the Lights, an event I had the honor of helping organize and bring to life. The goal was simple but powerful: to celebrate literacy in a fun, family-friendly way while making books more accessible to children across the county.

The evening exceeded every expectation. More than 100 families gathered under the stadium lights, where children were each able to take home five free books to build or grow their personal libraries. Fifteen community leaders volunteered their time to lead small reading circles, sharing stories and sparking excitement for reading. We were also joined by four local libraries, strengthening the message that reading is a shared community priority.

The highlight of the night was the sense of joy and togetherness, families reading side by side, children clutching their new books with pride, and leaders modeling the importance of literacy. The evening closed with a breathtaking one-of-a-kind drone show, creating an unforgettable memory for everyone in attendance.

The success of Reading Under the Lights demonstrated what can happen when a community unites around a common cause. It was more than just an event; it was the start of a new tradition to inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Wisconsin 4-H AmeriCorps members celebrate conclusion of their service this year across 27 counties

The University of Wisconsin System - Wisconsin 4-H Expanding Access AmeriCorps program completed its second year as a program this August, with their members placed throughout the state in partnership with county-based youth development professionals to design and implement community-based youth development programming to assist youth in underrepresented and underserved communities. During this program year, they expanded the reach of their program from their initial year and had AmeriCorps members implementing programming in 27 counties across Wisconsin.

The 4-H AmeriCorps members gathered for their end of term celebration on August 18, reflecting on the highlights of their terms of service, the impact they made in the community, and the things they learned about themselves as members. They also brainstormed suggestions for continued program improvement as the program moves forward, including their member orientation and resources, the service they provide across the state, and the professional development they receive as part of their service.

Service story of Sage Spear - Volunteer of the Year honoree at 2025 Governor's Service Awards and Marshfield Clinic - Community Corps AmeriCorps member

August episode of The S-Files podcast

This month on The S-Files, we explored the service story of Sage Spear, who was recognized as one of the Volunteer of the Year honorees at the 2025 Governor’s Service Awards for her efforts supporting the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties Inc and other nonprofit organizations and is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) Community Corps. Check out this month's episode below. You can access all of the episodes on The S-Files podcast series website.

Having a Fire Lit Inside You by Service as a Volunteer and as an AmeriCorps Member

In this episode of The S-Files, we explore the service done by Sage Spear, who was recognized as one of the Volunteer of the Year honorees at the 2025 Governor’s Service Awards for her efforts supporting the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties Inc and other nonprofit organizations and is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) Community Corps. Sage discusses how her volunteer service at the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties started with supporting their weekly bingo nights and grew to supporting several other initiatives and projects. She also describes her service as an ambassador for Setting Scoliosis Straight, drawing on her own experiences needing a back brace for treatment as a child, as well as helping raise over $18,000 to build tiny homes for veterans in southern Wisconsin and over $100,000 for local nonprofits through the Miss Whitewater and Mr. Lake Geneva pageants. Sage then discusses her AmeriCorps service over the last year with MCHS Community Corps, expanding her service at the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties Inc, including leading their Parent Perks program to collect donations for their Parent Perks and Holiday Helpers drives and distribute the children’s supplies and items and the holiday gifts to individuals in need. She continues by explaining the impacts of having to stop and restart her service due to AmeriCorps grant terminations and reinstatements and how she has balanced serving as an AmeriCorps member this year while also working full-time, volunteering with other organizations, and her responsibilities this year while serving as USOA Miss Wisconsin. Listen to learn about Sage being recognized with the Governor’s Service Award earlier this year and service lights a fire in you so that you can see what can be achieved through service and want to do even more. (listen to the episode here)

Serve Wisconsin | servewisconsin.wi.gov | AmeriCorps

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