Training for the following volunteer opportunities is usually “on the job” unless there is a special session offered. Please call the contact person listed for the opportunity you are interested in with any questions. UL Great Dane Readers and PBS Wisconsin volunteers are coordinated by University League. All other opportunities have a volunteer coordinator from the organization.
ALLEN CENTENNIAL GARDEN
Contact: Ryan Dostal (608-576-2501)
Website: www.allencentennialgarden.org
Sign up online to do hands-on gardening projects including planting, weeding and other garden-based activities, depending on time of year. The Allen Centennial Garden is open dawn to dusk, year-around.
MADISON FRIENDS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, INC.
Contact: info@mfismadison.org
Website: mfismadison.org/volunteer
Volunteer opportunities include: providing short-term housing (2-3 nights) for arriving students and scholars; a fall picnic; Thanksgiving hospitality; a mid-year Capitol reception; English conversation classes on Zoom. Visit the MFIS website for information and to complete the volunteer application online.
UW LAKESHORE NATURE PRESERVE
Contact: Bryn Scriver (608-220-5560)
Website: www.lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu
Email for general information: lakeshorepreserve@fpm.wisc.edu
Volunteers participate in habitat restoration projects. Activities include planting native plants, trail maintenance, and removal of invasive plants. Work is done in groups of volunteers.
UW ADULT HOSPITALS AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Contact: volunteer.services@uwhealth.org
Apply here: uwhealth.org/volunteer
At UW Health, volunteers play an important role in the success of the hospitals. They assist patients, their families, and visitors to our facilities and are valued members of the health care team.
At the Children’s Hospital, volunteers read to children or engage them in activities while they are waiting for treatments and appointments. This requires a six-month minimum commitment.
UNIVERSITY LEAGUE
GREAT DANE READERS
Contact: Mary Warfield (608-273-9809)
Once a month from September until May, volunteers read to preschool classes of students from low income families of Dane County. After reading, volunteers present each child with a copy of the book to keep and read with their families.
PBS WISCONSIN
Contact Cindy May (608-335-9291) to get on the UL volunteer list.
Volunteers support PBS Wisconsin by staffing fund-raising and community outreach events. Volunteer jobs include answering calls on the phone bank during on-air membership drives, helping place donation calls for the Online Auction between the Mmonths of January and May, and serving in a variety of roles during the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show in September and Garden and Green Living Expo in February.
UW ODYSSEY PROJECT
Contact: Sarah Lensmire (608-262-3733)
Website: odyssey.wisc.edu/volunteer-2
The UW Odyssey Project, a free college humanities course for adults and families near the poverty level, helps students overcome adversity and achieve their dreams through higher education. The project assists all ages, from newborns to learners in their 90s. Volunteers are needed to help with tutoring, mentoring, childcare, communications, office work, technical support, event promotion, and fundraising. The website (odyssey.wisc.edu) has a Volunteer Interest Form. You can help change lives!