Would you like to give back to our community in a meaningful way?

Check out the volunteer opportunities listed below!

And please share this email with friends, family, and coworkers.

Each of us can make a difference!

If you are a non-profit and would like to list your volunteer opportunities in the Connect, it's easy! Just click here.

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Connie Reed is our volunteer of the week!

Prior to taking a part-time job, Connie was an active volunteer with Reading Coaches for Kids. This program provides one-on-one educational support to students in area K-5 classrooms to help them improve their reading skills. Connie was an enthusiastic volunteer at Helen Keller Elementary, working on reading skills and reading fluency with 4th and 5th graders. 

Connie spent time getting to know the individual students who were chosen to work with her. She listened to them read and worked on reading skills with each one, but more importantly, she was another caring adult in their lives. The students with whom Connie worked often came from traumatic backgrounds, and it was important to demonstrate to them that adults can be trusted and are caring. Connie was an example of that trust and caring personified, and because she believed in them, they rose to meet her expectations.

Connie often brought snacks for the kids with whom she worked, as she knew that food insecurity was a real struggle, and a snack often helped them focus. The teacher with whom Connie worked said that one of her favorite ideas that Connie brought forward was encouraging students to share a treat with a fellow student. She would give an extra snack to the student reading with her and they in turn gave that treat to a friend or someone they felt needed or deserved it. In this way, Connie encouraged kindness and generosity in the kids. Thank you, Connie, for all your efforts as a Reading Coach and making such a difference in these young lives!

Click here to find this story on our Facebook page!

Attention Nonprofits: We Are Still Accepting New and Renewing Affiliates for 2024!

We assist all nonprofits in Brown County, but we also offer an enhanced level of service through our Affiliate Partner program, which features numerous ways we can help nonprofits find and retain volunteers. Thanks once again to the generosity of the Schneider National Foundation and the Green Bay Packers Foundation/NFL Foundation, each organization that joins for 2024 will automatically receive $100 off the normal annual fee of $250!

Here are just a few of the benefits Affiliate Partners enjoy:

• Unlimited number of volunteer need postings across all our platforms
• Free access to our Get Connected platform, which includes unlimited volunteer need listings, community event postings, volunteer check-in capabilities, volunteer hours tracking, and more!
• Dedicated page on the Volunteer Center website
• FREE entry into our 7th Annual Community-Wide Volunteer Expo in September 2024
• Invitations to our bi-monthly Coffee & Collaboration meetings
• And much, much more!

To read more about all the Affiliate Partner program benefits or to find detailed information on joining or renewing your partnership, visit our website. 

We look forward to partnering with you in 2024!

We're Celebrating 50 Years Community Strong!

Since 1973, the Volunteer Center of Brown County has been a pillar of community engagement. We are proudly announcing our 50th Anniversary Campaign, a celebration of five decades of volunteerism and service.

Join us as we commemorate 50 years of making a difference in our community. Make a donation today to support our mission and ensure our impact continues for the next 50 years. Thanks to the Otto Bremer Trust, your donation will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the difference you make. Help us reach our goal and shape a brighter future for our community!

Monday, January 15

Service project 2:00-4:00 pm, speaker 4:30 pm, social hour to follow (speaker and social hour are open to the public)

The Green Bay Conservation Corps, an AmeriCorps Program within the City of Green Bay Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, is hosting an event to celebrate MLK Day, a National Day of Service for AmeriCorps. The event will have three parts: a volunteer service project, a keynote speaker, and a social hour. 

The service project will be in the Tank, Kennedy, and Joannes neighborhoods. Volunteers will assist neighbors in need by shoveling driveways and sidewalks. Snow shovels are generously being provided by the Facilities Team of Lambeau Field. If there is no snow, the service project will switch to a general yard and garbage clean-up with City of Green Bay Public Works picking up removed items from designated locations in the above-mentioned neighborhoods.

After snow shoveling, the Conservation Corps will host a keynote speaker from We All Rise: African American Resource Center and Brown County United Way at the Brown County Central Library’s auditorium. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to serving and building his community, and the speakers will focus their talks around answering the question, “How has MLK’s legacy and work influenced your service to your community?”

The MLK Celebration will conclude with a social hour directly following the speaker. This time is designed for community members to reflect on what they heard and foster conversations to build community. There will be warm drinks and snacks provided for those attending, as well as activities and conversation prompts to encourage meaningful socialization. 

Questions? Contact Jacob Smither at 920-448-3386 or americorps.greenbay@greenbaywi.gov. 

Packer Game Ticket Scanning - January 7

Two types of roles are available:

1. Ticket scanning groups — Groups typically stay together, but occasionally may be separated. Training is provided using a handheld ticket scanning device and any issues will be handled by a supervisor. Shifts: 3.5-4.5 hours in length; arrival time varies; groups normally stay 30-45 minutes after kick-off and will then be released by their supervisor. Minimum age: 16.
2. Late ticket scanning (for one group of 8-10 people) — One person will be placed at each gate with a Brown County officer. Training is provided using a handheld ticket scanning device; any issues will be handled at the ticket office nearest your gate. You will be provided a boxed dinner/lunch. Shifts: 5-6 hours in length; arrival time varies; you'll stay until the end of the third quarter and will then be released by the officer. Minimum age: 18.

For both roles, volunteers must wear tan or black pants, no shorts or capris. Any shirt is fine. You’ll be standing the entire shift. Groups will be provided with water, red polos/jackets, ponchos, hand warmers, and sunscreen.

Hand of Hope - Kristi King

920-265-9708, packers@reachingthehandofhope.com

CASA Volunteer Virtual Info Sessions - January 9, 18, and 23; February 13 and 29

All it takes is one person. Can you lend a voice? Volunteers are invited to join Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Brown County for a 30-minute virtual information session to learn how. CASA provides a voice for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect and who are under court protection. From CASA volunteer Mark: "It doesn't take a lot of time to make a difference in a child's life." Children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to report higher levels of hope, do better in school, and achieve permanency in a safe home more quickly. YOU can make a difference! Sessions: January 9 and 23 and February 13, 5:30 pm; January 18 and February 29, 12:00 pm. Minimum age: 21.

CASA of Brown County - Eileen Metzler

920-393-9771, eileen@casabc.org

Wisconsin Academic Decathlon Regional Competition Judging - January 12

Assist with speech or interview judging for high school students using a scale of 1-10 on 10 different aspects of the speech or interview. This is a great opportunity to see what awesome young people we have in our area. Shift: 8:00 am-2:00 pm. Minimum age: 18.

Wisconsin Academic Decathlon (WIAD) - Amanda Albrecht

920-379-6903, aalbrecht@cesa7.org

Winterfest on Broadway - January 20

This family-friendly event is focused on all of the things we love so much about this cold and snowy season. Participants can enjoy horsedrawn carriage rides, ice sculptures, winter animals, food, and other outdoor activities with the kids, as well as take part in a scavenger hunt at participating businesses throughout the district. Volunteers are needed to help make this event happen! Sign up to help with set-up and tear-down or monitor activities and serve soup during the event. Shifts: 8:00-11:00 am (set-up), 11:00 am-3:00 pm (event), and 3:00-4:30 pm (tear-down).

On Broadway, Inc. - Betsy Sorensen

763-567-3631, betsy@onbroadway.org

Reading Coaches Initial Training - January 23-24

Reading Coaches for Kids is a volunteer tutoring program designed to increase students’ reading abilities and literacy skills by training and placing volunteers who read individually with students in area schools. Volunteers are placed in kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms for one hour a week during the regular school day. Training and ongoing support are provided. The Reading Coaches program is especially looking for volunteers ages 55+ to be a part of the Retired/Senior Volunteer Program to provide intergenerational experiences for the children. Once trained, tutoring takes place at various times during the school day, and a minimum commitment of one hour per week during the school year is requested. Training location: Volunteer Center of Brown County, 984 9th St., Green Bay. Sessions: January 23, 9:00-11:00 am OR January 24, 1:00-3:00 pm (only need to attend one). Minimum age: 18. Click here for more information and an application.

Reading Coaches for Kids - Nancy Pfankuch

920-600-0184, nancy@volunteergb.org 

2024 Seroogy’s Valentine Run - February 2-3

Runaway Shoes and the Seroogy’s Valentine Run are including Golden House as a charity partner for this 5K/15K that starts and finishes at Seroogy’s Chocolates in De Pere. Volunteers are needed for various duties. If you sign up at the links provided below, please list Golden House as the sign-up agency. Various shifts.

• Course volunteers
• Water stop volunteers
• Packet pick-up, Friday
• Packet pick-up and race finish, Saturday

Golden House - Jodi Mikulsky

920-435-0100, jodi@goldenhousegb.org

Volunteer Training - February 8, 15, 22 and 29

You can join CASA to help advocate for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect in Brown County. The journey to becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate is both life-changing and life-affirming, because they know that the children they work with will benefit greatly from your friendship, your support and your time. Just as important, you will gain the personal satisfaction of helping a child today and making a difference for years to come. Sign up for CASA volunteer training today! Volunteer applications are due January 25. Sessions: 5:30-8:30 pm each day. Minimum age: 21.

CASA of Brown County - Eileen Metzler

920-393-9771, eileen@casabc.org

Various Volunteer Roles

Catholic Charities would like volunteers to assist in several different roles:

Spanish-English Interpreter

Catholic Charities Financial Health is seeking a volunteer who will be needed occasionally for help interpreting at Spanish-speaking financial appointments. Days/times can be flexible to coordinate with the schedules of everyone involved.

Guest Presenter

The individual volunteering in this role will give financial education presentations (such as teaching classes) on various financial literacy topics within the community. There is a great need for financial literacy all throughout the diocese. Training provided as needed! 

ASL Interpreter

Catholic Charities Financial Health seeks a volunteer who will be needed occasionally to interpret ASL (American Sign Language) for client appointments. Days/times can be flexible to coordinate with the schedules of everyone involved. 

Minimum age for all roles: 18.

Catholic Charities - Kory Krauss

920-272-8252, kkrauss@gbdioc.org

Refugee Resettlement Assistance

Help refugee families in these important ways:

• Pick them up at the airport
• Provide a culturally appropriate welcome meal
• Distribute seasonally appropriate clothing for work, school, and every day
• Assist in transporting individuals to initial appointments (job interviews, doctor appointments, school appointments)
• Assist with completing public benefits applications such as Medicaid, SNAP, etc.
• Assist with enrollment in an English language program

Volunteers will sign up for a 90-day contract to help a refugee family. Anything beyond that is up to the volunteer. Minimum age: 18.

Catholic Charities - Chelsey Martinez

920-272-8322, cmartinez@gbdioc.org

Home Transitioners

Volunteers are needed to help clean Ecumenical Partnership for Housing's homes when a family moves out and get those homes ready for other families that are facing homelessness to move in. Shifts based on volunteers’ availability. Volunteers younger than 16 must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18.

Ecumenical Partnership for Housing - Lacy Hansen

920-655-6323, lacyh@ephgb.org

Science and Engineering Kit Refurbishment

As a volunteer with the Einstein Project, you will be involved in refurbishing STEM kits for classroom use. By refurbishing these kits, you play a vital role in ensuring that students have access to high-quality educational resources. Your tasks may include cleaning, repairing, and organizing materials, ensuring that each kit is in excellent condition for students to learn from. Your attention to detail and dedication will directly contribute to the success of STEM education in our local schools. Flexible shifts between 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Minimum age: 16.

Einstein Project - Elizabeth Mayenschein

920-884-8800, elizabeth@einsteinproject.org

Workshop Facilitators

Newcap is looking for volunteers to do workshops with residents at their Green Bay and Shawano CABA (Center for Advocating, Believing and Achieving) locations. These facilities are homes, and Newcap's mission is to try and bring people out of poverty and create a better life. The workshops can be on healthy eating, budgeting, how to manage/clean a home, craft projects or anything in which you have a talent. Locations: 315 S. Jefferson St. in Green Bay and 504 Lakeland Rd. in Shawano. Flexible shifts. Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. 

Newcap LLC - Diana Bushman

920-373-0050, dianabushman@newcap.org

Dog Park Maintenance

Help maintain the Vital Essentials Dog Park in the Broadway District! Use provided equipment to pick up trash and clean up waste. In the winter months, shovel snow off the sidewalk and off the walkway to the entrance. Flexible shifts, no more than an hour.

On Broadway, Inc. - Betsy Sorensen

763-567-3631, betsy@onbroadway.org

Outreach Volunteers

Help fight fraud in the Medicare system and protect beneficiaries from being victims of scams. You're invited to join the Senior Medicare Patrol volunteer team. Through outreach, they educate Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers on how to prevent healthcare fraud and provides tips on how they can protect themselves. SMP volunteers staff booths at health fairs/senior expos/resource events or give small group presentations. Make a significant difference in your community by stepping forward and taking a stand against fraud. Various shifts. Minimum age: 50.

Senior Medicare Patrol - Molly Kelly

608-335-8453, molly.kelly@gwaar.org

Social Media Assistance

An ongoing volunteer is needed to help manage Shelter in the Storm's website and social media. Flexible shifts.

Shelter in the Storm - Tim Grom

847-840-1734, tgrom@shelterinthestorms.org

Resale Shoppe Volunteers

Unity Resale Shoppe, a part of Unity Hospice, would like volunteers to help with various roles, including accepting, cleaning, and sorting donations; pricing merchandise and staging it on the sales floor; and working the cash register. Shifts: Mondays-Thursdays, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, 1:00-4:00 pm, and 4:00-6:00 pm; Fridays, 10:00 am-1:00 pm and 1:00-4:00 pm; and Saturdays, 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Individuals ages 16-17 are welcome to volunteer with parental consent.

Unity Resale Shoppe, LLC - Paakou Vang

920-339-5501, pvang@unityhospice.org

Please consider donating needed items to these area nonprofits.

Thank you!