These local agencies need your help during the holidays! Call 715-421-0390 for more information.

Click here to download a PDF of the brochure "Holiday Guide for Volunteers 2008-2009!"

Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Make a difference, one child at a time by becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child who is between the ages of 6 and 15.
- Become a School Buddy and meet once a week with a student (in grades 1-6) within the school setting.

Boys & Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area
- Donations needed: paper plates, plastic forks and spoons and craft supplies, such as foam, construction paper, beads, etc.
- Volunteers are needed to help with tutoring, playing games or sharing a holiday hobby or interest.
- Donate healthy snacks for the after-school snack program.

Catholic Charities Bureau of Housing
- Group needed to organize a holiday gathering with baked goods and small bingo prizes for 15-18 (we have the bingo game).
- Donate baked goods (for elderly enjoyment) for tenants who no longer bake.
- Donate canned goods, cleaning supplies, small gifts and toiletries for tenants.
- Teach a craft.

Child Care Resource and Referral of Central Wisconsin
- Become an office helper and help distribute newsletters.
- Organize the resource library.
- Donate 8.5”x11” paper, postage and mailing labels.

City of Wisconsin Rapids Recreation Dept.
- High School students needed to help with kids activities over Christmas break. Activities include arts and crafts, dance, tumbling and dodge ball. Volunteers will assist the instructors with supervision, hands on help, enforcing safety, and most of all, have FUN!
- Volunteers needed to help distribute holiday flyers around to area businesses. Transportation and driver’s license are necessary.

The Family Center, Inc.
- Donate Christmas hams and turkeys.
- Donation helpers needed to sort and shelve all donations and help keep donation storage areas organized.
- Receptionist and Shelter Assistants needed to answer phones during the week and weekends.  No overnights.

Historic Point Basse
- Volunteers needed to help maintain buildings and site, brush, and assist with painting.
- Volunteers needed to portray characters or act as guides.
- Non-historic kitchen help, parking attendants and ticket sellers needed for various events.

Lincoln High School Volunteer Program
- Buy a Community Candle to help disadvantaged children. Call 422-7217.
- Students needed to shop or wrap presents for Community Candle program.

Literacy Council of Wood County
- Help adults who are struggling with reading and writing to improve their skills.
- Help adults who do not speak English very well to improve their English conversational skills.
- Volunteers are needed to serve on the Board or to help with fundraising activities.

Lowell Center
- Have a special talent or hobby that you would love to share with others? Sign up to provide 20-30 minutes of information/entertainment during Lowell Center Quarterly Association meetings held in January, April, July and October.
- Supply donations: copy paper, 3-ring binders, paper products (5 oz. Dixie cups, Styrofoam cups, paper towels, napkins) and decaffeinated coffee.
- Donate handmade craft items to sell in our craft cabinet. These can include baby sweaters, afghans, booties, flower arrangements, double hanging kitchen towels, doilies, mittens or gloves.
- Monetary donations needed to purchase holiday treats or event door prizes.

Ministry Home Care - Hospice
- Home care volunteers needed to visit patients and provide social, respite or presence.
- Community Outreach Team volunteers needed to meet once per month (third Wednesday of every month). Team members assist with the Gift of Hospice Fundraiser.
- Office assistance needed to help with various tasks such as mailings, etc.
- Holiday baking is needed for Nutcracker Sweets each year; first week of December held at
St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

The Neighborhood Table
- Volunteers are needed to help serve meals on Christmas Day. The Neighborhood Table provides a free meal to anyone who is economically disadvantaged or needs a safe, friendly place.
- Year round meal coordinators needed to be the key contact in all aspects of planning a
community meal for 500 people.

North Central Community Action Program’s Family Resource Center
- New toys are needed for the “Christmas Is For Children Project.” Toys need to be $20-$25 and unwrapped. They can be dropped off at the Home Builder’s Association, the Family Resource Center or any Toys for Tots location.
- Used toys are also accepted; will be given to low-income children through the Family Resource Center program.

River Cities Community Access
- Volunteer photographers are needed to videotape local Christmas concerts. Volunteers do not need any experience in photography; anyone who is interested can be trained.

Riverview Hospital’s Home Delivered Meals
- Volunteer drivers needed to deliver nutritious meals to area residents throughout the year.

Rudolph Country Christmas Committee
- Rudolph Country Christmas is Dec. 13, 2008. Outdoor volunteers are needed for 2.5 hour shifts (10:00-12:30, 12:30-3:00) to assist with the wagon rides: selling tickets, directing traffic, and assisting people in and out of the wagons.
- Indoor volunteers are needed to help with the silent auction and selling postcards inside the Village Hall.

Salvation Army of South Wood County
- Bell ringers needed for the following locations: Piggly Wiggly in Nekoosa, IGA (West Grand and Baker St.), Wal-Mart, Rapids Mall, Copps and ShopKo.

Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre, Inc.
- Help with fundraising and other activities.
- Assist with day to day office operations.
- Volunteer as an usher during productions.

Wood County Department of Social Services
- Donations of NEW toys are needed for
distribution to needy children. Toys can be dropped off at the Wood County Courthouse Auditorium on December 16 from 8am - 4pm. Only NEW toys and gift items please; toys can be for children ages infant to 17 years.

Wood County Red Cross
- Volunteer to be on our Disaster Action Team; free training provided.
- Donated 8.5”x11” copy paper for office use.
- Volunteer to help at blood drives - become a donor room aid, canteen helper or registrar; make reminder calls to donors; deliver posters to area businesses.

To learn more about these and other volunteer opportunities, contact United Way of Inner Wisconsin's Volunteer Center at715-421-0390.