9 Ways to Give Back in Northeast Wisconsin this Holiday Season
November 20, 2018
What a year it’s been, eh? We know you’ve been busy with work, home life, family, and friends … and that when carolers, cranberry sauce, and cookies come out, you’ll have some extra time to be charitable. We’ve looked high and low to find some of the worthiest local causes to support this holiday season, as well as volunteering events for the whole family.
1. Angel’s Touch Holiday Party Helpers
Photo via Angel’s Touch Facebook page
- Where: 394 Angels Touch Court, De Pere, WI 54115
- When: December 5, 4:00 – 7:30 p.m.
This family-friendly, non-outdoors volunteering opportunity revolves around serving Angel’s Touch Assisted Living residents and families at their Holiday Party. The holidays can be a lonely time for residents in assisted living facilities who aren’t able to visit family on their own. Give the gift of love by volunteering your time to make Angel’s Touch’s Holiday Party festive and memorable. You would help serve food and drinks, set up tables, and clean up after the event. It’s a great way to help local seniors get holiday time by hosting family at their home.
2. Aurora Medical Center Cookie Bakers
- Where: 855 North Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh, WI 54904
- When: Ongoing
You could be the sweetest volunteer as an Aurora cookie baker. Volunteers use portable ovens on a designated floor, and deliver cookies to patients while visiting with them and their families. Cookie bakers brighten patients’ days when they need a sweet treat and a smile the most. Aurora prefers volunteers 15 years and older and those who can commit to a total of 64 hours. Don’t worry, though – there’s no set timeframe in which you need to fit your 64 hours of cookie creation.
3. St. Vincent de Paul Tree Land Helpers
Photo via St. Vincent de Paul
- Where: Northland Mall, 900 West Northland Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914
- When: Until December 29
Channel your inner elf and help decorate the Tree Land store at Northland Mall. For 10 years, the Tree Land store has been a seasonal store open to the public in the mall, and it’s an important holiday volunteering fixture. Volunteer Fox Cities says:
“There are a lot of people who come in and purchase trees for less fortunate people. If you know of a family that isn’t able to go out and buy a tree, the ones here are so reasonably priced. With the Christmas Store right next store, you can go in and buy a bag of ornaments for $3.”
Volunteers need to be 18 or older, and operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4. Kimberly-Little Chute Library Friends
Photo via Kimberly-Little Chute Library Facebook page
- Where: 625 Grand Avenue, Little Chute, WI 54140
- When: Ongoing
FOLKS, or Friends of the Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library, is always looking for volunteers from teens to retirees. Plan events, help fundraise, support community art projects, and more – whatever you choose, you’ll be supporting book lovers in your area.
5. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin Volunteers
Photo via Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin Facebook Page
- Where: 2911 West Evergreen Drive, Appleton, WI 54913
- When: Ongoing
When you’re knee-deep in holiday treats, it can be easy to forget that 1 in 7 Eastern Wisconsinites are facing hunger. Help feed Northeast Wisconsin by volunteering with Feeding America in the Fox Valley, an organization that supports local food pantries and feeds thousands of Wisconsinites each year. Volunteers must be at least 10 years old and be up for light physical activity.
6. Jake’s Diapers Volunteers
- Where: 139 East 2nd Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130
- When: Ongoing
Diapers are expensive. That’s why Jake’s Diapers, a Kaukauna-based nonprofit, decided to help ease the burden diapers create for those with babies, the elderly, and individuals with special needs. Jake’s Diapers serves those living in poverty, refugees, and veterans in need of support, and those impacted by disaster situations. You can help them out by attending a “Packing Party,” where you’ll be sorting, packing, and stacking diapers. Volunteers of all ages, from “babies to seniors,” are welcome.
7. HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital Volunteers
Photo via HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital
- Where: 835 South Van Buren Street, Green Bay, WI 54301
- When: Ongoing
Philanthropists 15 years and older can help heal kids in need at St. Vincent Children’s Hospital as a volunteer. Put a big smile on the face of a sick child and spread some extra joy for kids who are injured this holiday season when you spend your extra time here. They’re always looking for student volunteers, greeters, escorts, waiting room helpers, and more. This opportunity, like many of the others on our list, is a great add-on for your kiddo’s future college applications.
8. DNR Wildlife Surveyors
Photo via Wisconsin DNR Facebook page
- Where: Wherever you hunt
- When: December 15 – January 6
Hunters, help the Wisconsin DNR get a better understanding of the abundance and distribution of deer in the state. Keep track of the following items and share the information with them via smartphone, their website, or mail. As a DNR volunteer, you’ll not only help yourself and your fellow hunters for seasons to come – you’ll help keep our natural ecosystems healthy and properly populated.
- Date hunted
- Number of hours hunted
- County
- Zone
- Land type
- Weather conditions
- Type and number of animals
Got deer hunting on your mind? Read about hunting essentials and how to finance them on our blog.
9. Home Delivered Meals Runner
- Where: Brown County
- When: Ongoing
When you’re thinking about your big Thanksgiving dinner, consider doing your part to feed those who can’t prepare meals for themselves. The ADRC Nutrition program works with volunteers in Brown County to deliver meals to the homebound elderly and those with special needs. In 2017, volunteers served over 100,000 meals to thousands of people – you could be one of those volunteers!
Thanks for Volunteering in Northeast Wisconsin.
Time is precious, but you may also want to support local causes financially. We can help you get to a place where you’re comfortable donating money regularly. Connect with a Unison Member Advisor and they’ll give you the gift of actionable insight – a gift that keeps on giving, in the form of financial security and success.
Want to do a special something for a local cause near and dear to your heart? If you’re a Unison member, please nominate your favorite nonprofit for our 12 Gifts of Unison campaign by November 30. We’ll pick 12 winners, and each will receive an extraordinary gift.