COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Jan Karst at 441-7891 or jkarst@rsvpdane.org:

PORCHLIGHT needs two volunteers to help cook and serve lunch at Safe Haven, a temporary housing and service center for homeless folks with mental illness. Safe Haven is located at 4006 Nakoosa Trail. Thursday and Friday lunch help is needed between 10:30am and 1:30pm.

PORCHLIGHT PRODUCTS needs volunteers to serve samples of homemade jams, pickles and salsas in area stores. Products are made by their clients in the Porchlight kitchen with locally grown food and sold to raise funds to support programs for the homeless.

COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION GLEANERS is looking for volunteers to do a weekly route of picking up excess food at one location (stores, etc.) and delivering it to another (food pantries and nutrition sites).
Many students who receive free meals through their schools go hungry on the weekend.  GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER is looking for volunteers to pick up food bags from First Methodist Church on Thursdays and deliver them to a designated school in Madison so students living with food insecurity can eat over the weekend.
 
DRIVER SERVICES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Gene Kundert, gkundert@rsvpdane.org or 608-441-7896 to drive Seniors or deliver meals or
Jamie Johnston, jjohnston@rsvpdane.org or 608-238-7901 to driver Vets of all ages and their families
RSVP OF DANE COUNTY needs Drivers to drive passengers who are seniors (60 yrs. and older) or veterans of all ages to important appointments, or to deliver meals to seniors in Dane County communities outside of Madison. Set your own schedule, no minimum hours required. RSVP provides mileage reimbursement and extra liability insurance.
 
GROUP PROJECTS AND HOMEWORKERS PROGRAM
RSVP OF DANE COUNTY needs Group Liaison volunteers to visit a sewing/knitting group(s) once monthly.  Deliver fabric/yarn; pick-up finished items. Enjoy a few hours a month volunteering.  For more information contact Mary Schmelzer, Group Projects Coordinator: (608) 310-7280 or mschmelzer@rsvpdane.org.

 
INTERGENERATIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Andrea Beaster at 441-7894 or abeaster@rsvpdane.org
DEFOREST BIO LINK PROJECT is looking for 5-7 volunteers to be guest speakers at DeForest Middle School to share experiences in their lives when they have overcome obstacles. This projects' goal is to teach students about resilience and perseverance when facing challenges. Students interview volunteers and then complete a project on what they learned. The volunteers return to the school for a lunch and to view the students' class presentations.
MADISON MEMORIAL HISTORY PROJECT invites volunteers to participate in the Oral History Project with students.  Volunteers participate in small-group interviews on what their life was like during the Great Depression and WWII.  The students then compile a written documentation of the oral history.
 
COME RIDE THE BUS WITH BUS BUDDY TOURS PROGRAM 2017
BUS BUDDY TOURS PROGRAM teaches groups of seniors, age 60 and older, how to navigate Madison Metro Bus System, while experiencing fun-filled trips to local points of interest. Participants receive a tour bag with a 10-ride bus pass and Madison Metro Bus Ride Guide. For more detailed information or to sign up, contact Diana Jost, djost@rsvpdane.org or 441-1393
March 24               Multicultural Health Fair at North East Side Senior Coalition and lunch
May 17                   Madison Science Museum tour and lunch at Madison Senior Center
June 7                     Henry Vilas Zoo and picnic lunch
July 13                    Wisconsin Veterans Museum and lunch at Ian’s Pizza
August 17              Bubbler Room at the Madison Public Library and lunch at the Plaza
RSVP BUS BUDDY INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM matches seniors with an experienced Bus Buddy Coordinator to accompany and teach them the Madison Metro Bus System -- a transportation option available to use wherever they like, 7 days a week. If you would like individual training to ride the bus, or are interested in becoming a Bus Buddy Coordinator, contact Jan Karst at 441-7891 or Jkarst@rsvpdane.org

The East Madison Monona Coalition of the Aging provides nutritious meals for seniors in the community. EMMCA is looking for one or two volunteers to help with our EMMCA Senior Dining Site each Tuesday at Messiah Lutheran Church on Cottage Grove Road. Volunteers would work between 11am-1pm.

The two volunteer tasks are:

1. Staff the check in table: welcome and sign in participants; hand out newsletters, menus and other information; assist with counting donation money after the meal.
2. Help set up, serve and clean up the meal: assist with cleaning and setting up tables prior to the meal; serving the meal; cleaning up and putting everything away afterwards.

One person could do both jobs, or it could be split between two people. A free lunch is included for all volunteers.

Questions?  Please contact Sonya Lindquist, Executive Director at EMMCA at (608) 223-3100. 

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!