The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides fulfilling volunteer opportunities for people age 55 and older. Below are a few of our current opportunities. To learn about additional ways to serve, contact Jan Karst at jkarst@rsvpdane.org or 608-441-7891.
NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION (NRF) protects Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature. NRF needs volunteers to help with office assignments including mailings, computer research and various office projects.
HENRY VILAS ZOO is ready for volunteers to help with the Zoo train and carousel! They would also like to have Gate Greeters to welcome visitors!
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE needs volunteers interested in helping on weeknight evening shifts and weekend shifts.
Help support adult students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their literacy goals by being a volunteer tutor with LITERACY NETWORK! Training and ongoing support is provided.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER needs volunteers to help host their Memory Café – a social gathering for anyone with memory loss or dementia. They meet on the 3rd. Mondays of each month from 11am-12:30pm followed by a Healthy Living Luncheon which is ‘lunch and learn’ and discussion of health topics. Volunteers can help with set up at 10:30am, welcome guests, engage attendees in conversation, and help with serving of snacks/meals, and clean up. Volunteers can assist where they feel comfortable.
Volunteers are also needed for the Connections program on Thursdays from 10am-12pm. Connections is a casual drop in program for older adults (age 50 plus). Volunteers would prepare coffee and set up the Community Room to welcome guests, engage in conversation, games, cards, or any other casual connection.
CATHOLIC MULTICULTURAL CENTER needs help delivering fresh and healthy food to local schools! Their Culinary Creations Catering enterprise delivers catering orders prepared by trainees and staff to four area schools each weekday. Volunteers are asked to sign up for a weekly shift, one day a week. You will be driving our catering van so it is not necessary to have your own vehicle. All you need is good driving skills and the ability to do moderate lifting (15-20 lbs).
BADGER PRAIRIE NEEDS NETWORK is a resource center in Verona totally run by volunteers that provides not only a Food Pantry but many other social services and resources in Dane County. Volunteers are needed to help with shifts in the Food Pantry and picking up and delivering donated food from stores and businesses in the area.
HABITAT RESTORE needs volunteers to help sort and shelve used and new building materials and supplies, assist shoppers, and work at the cash register with purchases.
Donation Processing – ReStore East
Construction – Oregon
SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER on Williamson St. connects people with needed resources like food, housing, and other essential living services. They need volunteers to help with their food pantry and information desk.
BRAILLE LIBRARY AND TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES is gearing up for their Fall training to become volunteer transcribers to prepare and provide books in braille. You can learn to turn print into braille! All transcribers take a one year braille transcription course that consists of weekly classes and culminates in certification by the library of Congress.
WHEELS FOR WINNERS is an earn-a-bike program that rehabs used bikes and offers them to participants who earn them through community service. You can help clean and fix bikes and see the smiles on kids faces when they earn a bike and helmet!
ALDO LEOPOLD NATURE CENTER needs dedicated volunteers at their reception desk to engage with visitors, assist community members in person and via phone and email, and perform administrative tasks. Weekday and weekend shifts are available!
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK needs help sorting, labeling and packing food into family friendly portions for distribution. Volunteer projects are well-organized, safe, and led by wonderful staff members! Shifts are flexible and easy to sign up for!
ST VINCENT’S FOOD PANTRY needs more volunteers to help sort and shelve produce in the mornings from 8am – 10am. They also have shifts for Client Greeters, Online order fillers, Outside Food Loaders, and Cart re-loading and running. The need for food resources has increased and many volunteers are needed to keep the Pantry running.
FRIENDS OF SCHUMACHER FARM PARK in Waunakee, has volunteer opportunities available for those interested in gardening, prairie restoration, event planning, and educational tours of the historic farmhouse and buildings
SSM ST MARYS HOSPITAL needs help with their At Your Service program (escorting patients and families, delivering belongings, etc), Patient Registration (welcoming patients and escorting them to their destination), Surgical Waiting Area supporting families while their loved one is in surgery, offering caring presence and support through touch and conversation.
AGRACE HOSPICE CARE has Kitchen Volunteer opportunities including: Small Batch Baker, Café Cashier, Nutrition Center Stocking, Soup Brigade, and Kitchen Prep to assist the Kitchen Team with small prep and recipe work! Great place to use your kitchen and cooking skills.
RSVP Volunteer Bus Buddy Coordinators are needed to help teach others how to navigate the Metro Bus system! Are you a seasoned bus rider who would like to help others open a whole new road to independence? You can help teach older adults, refugees, and people with disabilities learn to ride the buses to work, school, medical appointments, grocery stores, or places of interest. For more information, contact Jan Karst at 608-441-7891 or jkarst@rsvpdane.org.
Help older adults remain in their homes by delivering hot, nutritious meals. Drivers are needed in communities outside of Madison: Belleville, Fitchburg, DeForest, Oregon, McFarland, Middleton, NW Dane, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, SW Dane, Verona, and Waunakee. Mileage reimbursement and extra insurance are available. For more information, contact Steve Jaeschke at 608-441-7892 or sjaeschke@rsvpdane.org.
Help low-income, home-bound seniors by delivering groceries. Volunteers pick up pre-packed food boxes once a month from The River Food Pantry and deliver them to senior participants. Drivers receive mileage reimbursement and extra insurance. For more information, contact Steve Jaeschke at 608-441-7892 or sjaeschke@rsvpdane.org
Use your talent to keep our community warm, safe and comforted by creating quilts, tote bags, hats, scarves, mittens, shawls, baby items and more! Materials are furnished, and items are donated to nonprofit and public organizations in Dane County. For more information, contact Julia Pierstorff at jpierstorff@rsvpdane.org or 608-310-7280.
Volunteers are needed to pick up unused food at stores and bakeries and deliver it to food pantries, repackage bulk food into family serving sizes, serve meals to seniors, and help guests register and select food at pantries. For more information, contact Jan Karst at jkarst@rsvpdane.org or 608-441-7891.
RSVP’s Foster Grandparent Program is seeking volunteers to support children in Madison Head Start Centers and elementary schools. Foster Grandparents offer one-on-one tutoring and attention to students who need extra support in literacy and social/emotional development, working a minimum of five hours per week. Eligible volunteers receive a stipend and transportation reimbursement. To learn more about this unique opportunity, contact Paula Reif at 608-441-7894 or preif@rsvpdane.org.
Volunteers are needed to drive seniors to medical appointments. Hours are flexible; you will receive a call and can accept or decline the assignment. Mileage and extra insurance are available. This service is often key to older adults being able to remain in their homes. For more information, contact Steve Jaeschke at 608-441-7892 or sjaeschke@rsvpdane.org.
