Volunteers Needed - Set up help needed to repair storm damage - Farm Technology Days

Last week's wind storm wiped out the work finished by volunteers for Farm Technology Days set up.

Volunteers are needed this week to help with picking up posts and ropes from tents that were downed from winds, pulling out stakes, spreading shavings, mowing other miscellaneous tasks as needed to help repair the site.

For more information or to volunteer call 715-384-5494.

The Farm Technology grounds main headquarters is off Galvin, East on Birch.  Come to the trailers parked on site.

Volunteers Needed - Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Be a part of the largest food drive in the nation, Saturday May 14.  Join Marshfield Area United Way, National Association of Letter Carriers and the Marshfield Post Office for the 17th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
 
Volunteers are needed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to sort food and load trucks at the Marshfield Post Office.  Any amount of time is needed: service can vary from 30 minutes to one or more hours.
 
To volunteer call United Way at 384-9992 or e-mail.
 
On Saturday, May 14, place a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will pick it for distribution to local food pantries, St. Vincent DePaul and Soup Or Socks.
 
Don't forget to check those expiration dates before you donate!

For more information visit http://www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org/NALC.html or call 715-384-9992

Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Volunteer Monday! Spring Food Drives

Soup or Socks is looking for a group of people, youth or adult or combination of both to help with our spring food drives. 

The group would be responsible for moving the boxes of food that have been checked and packed into our storage area for the food pantry. We have carts and hand trucks available. There is some lifting involved. 

Depending on the size of the group, this would take approximately 1 hour.

Date Time # volunteers requested  Apr 16, 2011 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 12 May 14, 2011 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM 12 May 18, 2011 03:30 PM - 05:00 PM 12

Contact Person: Cheryl Lewis Hartl, 387-1796

Use community resources to get over the winter blahs

Are you tired of winter? It seems that every one that I talk to is ready for spring.  While I think that snow can be beautiful, I am less of a fan of the slush and the bitter cold that often goes along with a Wisconsin winter.  By the time February rolls around I am ready for a change in my routine to help me get through the last few weeks of winter.  If you are looking to add something new to your routine I have a few suggestions.  

Try volunteering.  There are numerous groups and organizations in our community that depend on volunteers.  Volunteering can be a one-time event or an ongoing commitment.  You can volunteer by yourself or involve your friends, co-workers or family members in a group opportunity.  

In the winter volunteers are particularly needed by many organizations since many regular volunteers head to warmer climates.  One source of volunteer opportunities is our website: www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org and click Volunteer.  Also, Volunteer Monday! is a feature on Facebook and Twitter the first and third Monday of the month that focuses on volunteer tips or highlights opportunities.  

My family recently volunteered with Home Delivered Meals.  While it was a cold and snowy day as we were delivering the meals, we felt warm and sunny knowing we had taken a little bit of time out of our day to help someone else.

Support the events of local organizations.  Almost every weekend in the Marshfield area there are some great fundraising events.  These events range from family events like Bowl for Kids Sake, to pancake breakfasts, auctions and even shopping opportunities.  There is no shortage of events that are both fun and help support worthwhile organizations.

Plan your garden.  I know nothing helps me take a brief respite from winter like a seed catalog.  I love planning what I will plant in my garden.  Part of my planning also includes what additional vegetables I will plant to donate to a local food pantry.  These donations help our food pantries stretch their limited budget.  

Integrate a few of these events and activities in your routine to get you through the last few weeks of the winter blues.  It will brighten your day and make your community a better place.

For more information and ways to get you through the winter visit marshfieldareaunitedway.org, facebook.com/MarshfieldAreaUnitedWay or twitter.com/MAUW01 or call 715-384-9992.

Paula Jero, Executive Director of Marshfield Area United Way can be contacted at unitedway.paula@tznet.com

Volunteer Monday! Top 10 Reasons to check out Leadership Link

Never volunteered for a community program before?  There are literally hundreds of programs throughout our area, where do you start to find the ones who need help?   

Marshfield Area United Way’s Leadership Link does the leg work for you.

Leadership Link connects you to nonprofits and public task forces with open committee and board positions.  Lend your professional skills and passions to a variety of organizations who need help.  

Don’t think you have the time or energy?  Think again!

1.     It doesn't have to take a lot of time. 

2.     You can learn something new. 

3.     It saves, and stretches resources. 

4.     You get to be around motivated, passionate people. 

5.     It strengthens our community. 

6.     You get a chance to give back. 

7.     It can brighten your day. 

8.     You can change someone's life. 

9.     It opens your eyes to the community around you.

10. You see the impact of your good work!

Now that you have reasons why to volunteer on committees or the board of directors of nonprofits, here are some opportunities for you to try.

Board Members

Hannah Center 

Pathway Partners Mentoring Program

Personal Development Center, Inc.

Soup Or Socks

Committee Members

Companion Day Services, Inc. (Adult Day Care) – fund raising

Marshfield Area Community Foundation – public relations 

Marshfield Area United Way – Campaign and Finance Committee

Pathway Partners – recruitment, personnel and sustainability
Soup Or Socks – public relations and fund raising

Click here to find out more information about the above organizations and their openings.  

Calling all nonprofits, organizations and task forces!  Do you have open positions?  Post them on Leadership Link.

Volunteer Monday! Brighten a neighbor's day

Volunteer Monday! Opportunity Spotlight: Home Delivered Meals

Brighten the day of our community's homebound residents. If you enjoy interacting with your elderly neighbors, this is the volunteer job for you!

Volunteer drivers are needed to pick up hot meals at the Hospital kitchen and deliver them to homebound individuals in the Marshfield community.

• Must be able to drive and have access to an insured vehicle.
• Will have to read a map and feel comfortable finding new addresses.
• Training and maps are provided for all new drivers.

Meals are ready for pick-up at approximately 11 a.m., and total time is about an hour. Home Delivered Meals needs volunteers every day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays!

High School students who are driving are welcome!

To share hot nutritious meals and a warm hello with your neighbors, volunteer by calling Jackie Zoellner, Program Coordinator, (715) 387-9585.

For more information and opportunities visit the Volunteer Center. Connect with United Way on Facebook or Twitter.

~ Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? -Martin Luther King, Jr.~