Retired and Senior Volunteer Program's recruitment and placement of volunteers in Dane County schools is especially important at this time of year as the schools prepare for their second semester needs for tutors and other classroom support. 

Seniors and Veterans of all ages really depend on our drivers to get them to appointments and deliver them meals to help them maintain their independence so the need for drivers is both urgent and ongoing. 

In addition, because the potential pool of senior volunteers is rapidly expanding, RSVP is an important resource for other Dane County nonprofits who are seeking volunteers for specific jobs in their organizations.

Volunteers are a huge source of support to people of all ages in our community! 

Santas Without Chimneys is an independent, all-volunteer, ask-based, crowd-sourced, non-faith-based holiday gift donation drive for homeless children in Dane County. We have fulfilled the wishes of hundreds of local children every year since 2012. We work through local schools and social workers to contact homeless families and teens and ask for wishlists from each child. Our gifts are then carefully selected to match the kids' interests, hobbies, and wishes, and we deliver the gifts directly to wherever our families are staying.

For donation and volunteer information please visit our website: http://www.santaswithoutchimneys.org .

SWC is an organization focused on helping the homeless in our community. As such, any and all support from our community is greatly appreciated.

Madisonians love our lakes! From sitting at the Union Terrace to cheering on Ironman contestants, Madison’s lakes connect us with one another and with the outdoors. The green leaves that provide us much needed shade in the summer also contribute to the “greening” of our lakes and rivers when they collect in the streets each fall.  Decaying leaves are a great natural fertilizer for gardens and lawns, but they also release unwanted nutrients into our local waters.  When it rains, the rainwater flows through leaf piles that collect in the streets and along curbs creating a “leaf tea” that is rich in dissolved phosphorus. The phosphorus from the decaying leaves is carried through our storm sewers to the Yahara chain of lakes. Too much phosphorus in our lakes leads to algae blooms, low oxygen levels and murky waters, none of which are good for animals living in the water or those of us who use it for recreation. Although the City of Madison is actively involved in many efforts to improve the quality of stormwater runoff including curbside leaf collection, rain garden installations, and street sweeping, we need your help!

A few simple activities can help us clean up our lakes! Collecting leaves from the street and within 5 feet of the curb in front of your property before it rains, and piling them up onto the terraces between the street and the sidewalk will help keep phosphorus out of our lakes. Check Madison Streets website for leaf pick up dates and other requirements so that your leaves are on the terrace for as short a time as possible.

For more information on ways to “Love Your Lakes and Rivers, Don’t Leaf Them” visit: http://myfairlakes.com/fall_campaign.aspx