Volunteer Opportunities

For more information about any of these volunteer opportunities, phone Patrick Andera at 796-3805

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:

If you love interacting with children, come on over and volunteer at the Mathy Boys & Girls Club. We need volunteers for tutoring as well as helping out with the many programs that take place each day. Contact Lindsey Kirsenlohr at ext. 3829 or email at lakirsenlohr@viterbo.edu if you are interested.

A Place of Grace Catholic Worker House
Ben Kruse
919 Hood Street
782-6224

WANTED: volunteers to help prepare and serve meals, clean-up, play with children, talk with guests and provide general hospitality.

Tuesdays are “craft nights” with the children.  Meals are Sundays 2–4, Tuesdays 4:30–6:30, Thursdays 4:30–6:30. Hospitality hours are Sundays 1–5, Tuesdays 1–7, Wednesdays 1–5, Thursdays 1–7.

American Cancer Society
Kathryn Murphy
783-5001

WANTED: volunteers and/or interns to provide assistance with various aspects of operating a community health organization. 

American Red Cross

Rachael Garbers
787-8500
WANTED: interns to assist with marketing a non-profit agency and its programs.

Bethany Riverside/Bethany Lutheran Homes
Lori Hoesley
775-8226

WANTED: one-on-one visits, manicures, reading to residents, sing-a-longs, coffee hours 1–3, Bingo Tuesdays 1–3 and Wednesdays 6–8.

Bethany St. Joseph Care Center
Kim Scholze
788-5700

WANTED: volunteers and/or interns to assist with meal time, one to one visits, religious services, entertaining residents through music, playing games with them and possible projects with the dietary department to provide special meal displays.  Nursing students with CNA training may also assist in other various projects with the residents. 

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Coulee Region
Abby Abernathy
782-2227 / aabernathy@bbbsofcr.org

WANTED: mentors to share time, experience, friendship and fun that help children become caring, confident, competent adults. Community Based Bigs spend 2-3 hours weekly with their Little for one year.  Site Based Bigs meet 1-2 hours weekly during the school year with their Little during lunchtime or after school at a designated location.  Other volunteer opportunities include office work and committee membership. Internship also possible to assist with various aspects of operating a community mentoring program. 

Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse
Sarah Wendland
782-6042

WANTED: game room volunteers, tutors, peer court volunteers, and special event volunteers (sports tournaments, fundraising events and special holiday events.) An internship with this organization will provide experiences pertaining to a youth services agency.

Brookdale Senior Living

jamie Dullum, Jennifer Clements

783-4955

Catholic Charities

Karen Belker

608-782-0710 x202

Causeway Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Inc.

Sara Wrobel

608-775-9999

Children’s Museum
Amanda Cripe
207 5th Ave South
608-784-2652/volunteerscmlc@centurytel.net
website:  www.funvolunteering.org 

WANTED: Drop & Shop - Museum guests can drop off their children, ages 4–12, at the museum so they can shop, dine or rest in peace.  Museum staff and volunteers will supervise play, snacks and more.

City of La Crosse - Park and Recreation
Mike Ulrich
789-7533

WANTED: Volunteers to help with recreational programs and activities for the residents of La Crosse. Events include winter Rec-Fest, Punt-Pass-Kick Contest, softball tournaments, sports camp, coaching, playground/afternoon school youth leaders, adult support official.

Crossfire Youth Center

Alan Rustad, Melanie Hamel

608-783-4014

Coulee Council on Addictions
Pat Rula
784-4177

WANTED: Volunteers and/or interns to assist with services aimed at ADDA prevention, intervention and continuous care. 

Coulee Region Humane Society
Kelly Dvorak
781-4014

WANTED: volunteer with pet therapy (accompanying a certified pet therapy dog to an area nursing home or health care facility), animal care, special events volunteer.

Coulee Region Literacy Council
Cathy Corcoran
608-789-4752

WANTED: volunteers to work as tutors with adult students who want to improve their reading skills.  Volunteers will meet once a week for one hour with their student. 

Clearwater Farm
Cheryl Gilkes
780-0441

Clearwater Farm is a 3-acre non-profit organization located on Green Coulee Road north of Coulee Golf Bowl in Onalaska. Here are just a few of the opportunities available at Clearwater: 

• Animal Team duties (work with the animals, learn about their eating habits, health needs, and so much more)
• Open barn for visitors who want to meet our goats, sheep, donkey, chickens, rabbits and cats in a low-key setting
• Gardening opportunities (help prepare, plant, maintain, harvest and reap the benefits of  garden vegetables, fruits, and herbs)
• Visits by pet therapy dogs and their trainers
• Annual Christmas tree sale and rummage sale

Please consider Clearwater Farm as a destination for performing community services hours! If you are interested please contact Cheryl Gilkes at 780-0441or info@clearwaterfarmfoundation.org. Thanks!

Coulee Region Literacy Council
Cathy Corcoran
608-789-4752

WANTED: volunteers to work as tutors with adult students who want to improve their reading skills.  Volunteers will meet once a week for one hour with their student. 

Easter Seals Wisconsin
Shawn Rosma
608-254-2502

WANTED: volunteers to work at a camp for individuals with disabilities.  Respite weekends count as 50 volunteer hours and volunteers stay on site during these times to care for their campers.  Also, we do provide all meals and snacks, as well as a brief training session, and you will be working with an experienced co-counselor who can give you pointers, moral support, etc.  This is a great experience for anyone looking into health professions, teaching, psychology, therapies, or anyone who would like to work with people. 

Family & Children’s Center
Vanessa Southworth
785-0001

WANTED: motivated individuals to volunteer in one of our many programs working with at-risk youth and families.  Opportunities include tutoring, mentoring, independent living skills, job training, courier, clerical, and event planning.  These volunteer positions give you the chance to be directly involved in the treatment of our clients.  Groups and organizations are also welcome.  Please note that due to licensing restrictions, we can only employ or have as a volunteer individuals who are 21 years old, or within six months of being so.

Family Resources
Deb Cowan
784-8125 (ext. 234)

WANTED: co-child facilitator (work with children’s program for group parent education), child care assistants, office assistant, receptionist, and general help cleaning.

Franciscan Skemp Medical Center
Ruth Morgan
785-0940 (ext. 4203)

WANTED: department volunteers (physical therapy, cardiac rehab, elder service, occupational therapy and emergency department)

Franciscan Skemp Healthcare - Elder Service
Jan Pohlman
791-9578

WANTED: volunteers to lead exercise programs/crafts/games, to help at parties/social events, and to help serve supper and clean up

Girl Scouts of Riverland Council
Sarah Felicelli
800-784-3693 ext.309

WANTED: volunteers to be a starter troop leader, badge box creator, photographer, grant writer, website creator, marketing and recruitment assistance, assistant troop leader.  Internship opportunity in human service or business concentration promoting positive youth development. 

Great Rivers United Way

Kristen Brinks

608-796-1400

Gundersen Lutheran Hospital
Karla Korish
775-3294 (ext. 53294)

WANTED:  escort services (transporting non-hospitalized patients throughout medical center), pharmacy volunteer, physical therapy assistant, family rooms volunteer, therapeutic recreation.

Habitat for Humanity
Cori Skolaski
785-2373

WANTED: construction volunteers, committee members, and fundraising help.

Hiawathe Valley Mental Health Center

Mike Fahey

507-454-4341

Hillview Health Care Center
Brooke Smith
789-4800

WANTED: group project volunteers (such as Bingo), activity therapy assistant, friendly visitor, Alzheimer Unit assistant, book volunteer, help with lounge program.

Hixon Forest Nature Center
Vicki Schaffer or Stephanie Hanna
784-0303

WANTED: volunteers for special events (Spikers for Hikers Volleyball Tournament, Haunted Hollow, Enchanted Forest, River to Ridge Run/Walk) and volunteer naturalists to take school groups through the forest.

Ho Chunk Learning Center
Rikki Blair
724 Main Street/785.7473

WANTED: volunteers to tutor students ages 6-14 in all subject areas from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Horsesense for Special Riders
Magen Duffy
791-4868 (HSSR Answering Service)

WANTED: Volunteers for Spring, Summer and Fall sessions of their therapeutic/recreational horseback riding program offered to children and adults with special needs.

Housing Authority of the City of La Crosse
Fawn King
782-2264

WANTED: volunteers to assist Resident Services with groups and actives, individuals to organize and lead activities on own or with other volunteers, deliver newsletters to the family units and high-rises, post flyers on various buildings, assist with special door-to door deliveries and make sample crafts. 

Houston County Women's Resources
Darcy Houser
507-894-2676

WANTED: volunteers and interns to work with human services to provide services to victims of violence. 

La Crosse Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association 
Denis Tucker or Thai Vue
781-5744

WANTED: youth program assistant, office assistant, tutoring, mentoring.

La Crosse Area Salvation Army
Julie Chapiewsky
782-6126
Julie_Chapiewsky@usc.salvationarmy.org

WANTED:  volunteer positions in many areas including Meal Site, Office, Pantry, Drivers/Unloaders, and Canteen.  Please contact Julie for more information.

La Crosse County 4-H
Jenny Holm
785-9593

WANTED:  volunteer positions in many areas (call for more information)

La Crosse Area Family YMCA
Alison Huppert
782-9622 ext 236 / ahuppert@laxymca.org

WANTED: volunteers to help with special events.  Volunteers will work with both youth and adults on making the events successful!

Community Teen Center – volunteers will interact with teenagers from local high schools, be positive role models and help with homework as needed.

La Crosse Area Sports Commission

Brian Meeter

782-2250

La Crosse Citizen Advocacy
608-782-4760

La Crosse Citizen Advocacy is looking for individuals to assist with fundraising and marketing strategies.  The organization is also seeking individuals to assist with event planning and implementtion, coordination of fundraising and public awareness activities.  Assistance with general clerical/office tasks is also a need. 

La Crosse Community Center Theater

608-784-9292

La Crosse County Historical Society
Lori Strom
782-1980

WANTED: The Swarthout Museum is in need of volunteers to fill open time slots on the schedule this spring and summer.  The museum is located at 112 South 9th Street (attached to the main branch of the La Crosse Public Library).  Duties include greeting visitors, monitoring museum property, gift shop sales and assisting office staff when asked.  Hixon House is also in need of spring and summer docents.  Please call the office at the number listed above if you are interested.  Office hours are Monday - Thursday, 9:00 - 12:30.

La Crosse County Republican Party

Bill Feehan, Tom Lynch

608-498-3221

La Crosse County Democratic Party

Vicki Burke

laxdems@yahoo.com

La Crosse County Justice Sanctions

Becky Spanjers

785-5501

La Crosse Police Department
Drew Gavrilos
608-789-7209

WANTED: volunteers and interns to work at the city police department. 

WANTED: volunteers to work as tutors as well as limited paid positions running assorted after school classes.  This is a great chance to interact with students of all ages and ability levels.  For more detailed information on the positions available for the fall of 2006 please contact Kate at 608.796.3829 or klzboralski@viterbo.edu.

Lakeview Health Center
Carol LeClaire
786-1400

WANTED:  one-on-one visitors, read to residents, play cards/table games, assist with various activity programs, entertain musically, and more. Internship opportunity at La Crosse County health center serving the elderly and individuals with physical  and psychological disabilities. 

Mary Mother ofthe Church Early Childhood Center
Anna Flemming
788-5225

WANTED: volunteers to work with K-3 students on their homework and to teach mini-units on a variety of skills (3:30)

Meadow Wood Assisted Living
Beth O'Bryan
788-7489

WANTED:  volunteers to assist with programs such as Happy Hour, birthday parties, bingo, etc.; one-to-one visits, pet therapy with Humane Society, play card games, help tenants with computer skills, assist in transporting tenants to church on Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, give manicures, etc.

Mississippi Valley Conservancy 
608-784-3606

WANTED:  volunteers to do GIS mapping of trails, data entry, species list organization, invasive species control, tree & brush removal, trails cleanup, prescribed burning (training required), and boundary posting. 

Myrick Hixon Eco Park

Clare Henneman

784-0303

National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Wisconsin Chapter
Bonnie Bebroux
Director of Volunteer Development & Empowerment
262-369-4425
bonnie.debroux@wisms.org

WANTED:  volunteers for special events, advocates for MS in legislation, and volunteers for outreach. Walk MS 2009 event date is April 26, 2009. 

Neighbors in Action
Sandy Graves
507-895-5155

WANTED:  volunteers to develop relationships with the elderly of La Crescent, MN.  Also, volunteers are needed to do lawn care or other various maintenance.

New Horizons
Sharon Radford
P.O. Box 2031
791-2600
fax: 791-2619

WANTED: volunteers to help with children’s advocacy, crisis phones/shelter assistance, donations/inventory, legal advocate, office assistance, public relations/fund raising, transportation and women’s advocacy.

Norskedalen
Katie Sparks-Erickson
608-452-3424

WANTED: Interns to work in communications/PR/Event planning, Recreation Management, Natural Sciences and History. 

Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Rod Tisthammer
608-782-3468

WANTED: volunteers to work with community out reach programs.

Red Balloon Child Care Center

Alicia Skiles, Jamie Buchholtz

608-784-9406

Riverfront, Inc.
Karen Carter
608-784-9450 ext. 248
karen.carter@riverfrontinc.org

WANTED: Volunteers and/or interns to assist in Day Services with art, music, drama and other group activities, assistants to answer phones (11:00am-12:30pm) and in the Production Plant as mentors and quality control helpers.  Volunteers and/or interns are also needed for special events - an art auction in March, golf outing in June, Sand on the Riverfront in August and twice a month for Tuesday Night Specials (5:30-8:30pm).  Detailed job descriptions are available on the website. 

School District of Onalaska
Fran Finco
781-9700
finfr@webmailonalaskak12.wi.us

WANTED: Volunteers and interns to work in the school district. Some of the possible programs include student wellness program, health expo, family nutrition night, and bike rodeo. 

Shelby Terrace Assisted Living
Kim
608-788-4477
bsjst@centurytel.net

WANTED: Volunteers to work with senior adults to: complete crafts, play games, entertain through music, and help with manicures.   

Special Olympics WI-South Central Area
Kerry Gloede
789-7596

WANTED: sports coaches, chaperones for trips, various volunteers for special events.  Volunteer orientation is required.

St. Joseph Rehab Center
Jenny Knutson
788-9870

WANTED: singers, musicians, escorts (wheel-chair pushers), visitors, readers to residents, special party helpers, baking helpers, cake decorators, rosary helpers, etc.

Stein Counseling and Consulting Services
571 Braund St.
Onalaska, WI 54650
Amy Sackmaster
608-790-4335

WANTED:  students to tutor at risk youth for 1 hour/week. 

Swifthaven Assisted Living
3715 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601
Linda Watson
788-2933, lhwatson@viterbo.edu

WANTED:  Volunteers to play cards, organize short act plays, musical rehearsals, educational presentations, plan parties, facilitate non-denominational bible study, plan a baking day, crafts, exercise sessions, etc.

The Salvation Army
Laurie Duncan
782-6126

WANTED: volunteers and interns to work with a variety of projects within the organization. 

Villa St. Joseph
Julie Amundson
Director of Activities
782-5100 ext. 534

WANTED: Volunteers to help serve cookies and drinks, help with Bingo, provide music on each floor, and sometimes help feed Sisters. 

Viterbo University Fine Arts
Casey Clark
608-796-3749

Volunteer Center- Great Rivers United Way
Becky Barnes
796-1400 ext. 231

WANTED: Volunteers to work in a variety of places.  Students wanting to intern with this agency should contact Jen Lewis at jlewis@greaterriverunitedway.org

WAFER Food Pantry
Heidi Blanke
782.6003

WANTED: Volunteers to unload, weigh, and sort food, stock shelves, and wait on clients. No experience necessary. From time to time, WAFER needs help with maintenance and building upkeep. No specific time commitment. Spur-of-the-moment volunteers welcome.

Hours: WAFER is open 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday through Friday and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday.

WWTC, Goal Oriented Adult Learning

Carol Hanson
785-9535

WANTED:adult tutors (one-semester commitment), conversation partners (speak with non-English speaking person to improve conversation skills—one semester commitment).

Y.W.C.A. of the Coulee Region
Noelle Webber
781-2783

WANTED: volunteers who are at least 18 years of age to work with a program that serves to keep female offenders out of jail.  Volunteers will work with the women at the transitional housing site in the overnight hours.  Additionally in another program area volunteers needed to work in teen services.  Please contact Anne Schroeder at the same number, and dial extension 3.