Remembrance of 9-11 Volunteers Showed up Big in Waukesha County

Inspired by National Day of Service and Remembrance, the United Way Volunteer Center set a goal to record 911 volunteer hours during the month of September as a means to pay tribute to the now historic milestone date of Sept. 11. The result: volunteer efforts surpassed the agency’s goal by nearly ten fold, states a news release from the agency.

“More than 9,111 volunteer hours were reported to us by 22 agencies throughout Waukesha County,” said Lori Hayes, Division Manager of the Volunteer Center, “and that doesn’t include the countless agencies that advertise volunteer opportunities.”

The top agencies turning heads with more than 1,000 volunteer hours each include The Women’s Center, National MS Society, Hope Center and Waukesha County Parks System.

“Volunteers are a great asset for the Waukesha County Park System,” said Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas.  “From litter pick up to invasive species control, the volunteers are directly involved in the preservation of our great county parks.”

Give Back

The Volunteer Center is currently promoting Make a Difference Day, the nation’s largest day of volunteering. For more information, visit www.MakeADifferenceDay.com.To access volunteer opportunities in Waukesha County, for Make a Difference Day, visit the Volunteer page of United Way’s website, www.UnitedWayWaukesha.org, or call 262-547-8459.

Meanwhile, the United Way of Waukesha County has provided Patch with some volunteer needs it currently has. To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunities or to learn more about volunteering, check out the United Way Volunteer Center. The following volunteer opportunities are available through the

Volunteer Driver/Transporter
Give three hours per month or more to connect your neighbors to the resources they need. Volunteer with Waukesha County Health and Human Services to provide transportation services to infants, children, teens, and adults. Transport them to appointments and/or meetings. Opportunities are available Monday-Friday, including evenings. Very few weekend shifts.

Ring Our Bells
Ring bells for The Salvation Army’s annual kettle campaign. Help make a lasting contribution to residents in Waukesha County by ringing bells and raising funds. Greet holiday shoppers and help spread the holiday cheer while accepting donations in our famous Red Kettles. The money raised is goes towards support programs within Waukesha County.

Ambassadors/Greeters at Aurora Health Center
If you are a friendly, people-person and enjoy helping others, then you belong at Aurora Health Center in Waukesha. Volunteers are needed to help greet patients/visitors at the surgery center, provide directions, and escort patients in wheelchairs as needed. Volunteers are needed during daytime hours of operation.

Grant Writer
Donna Lexa Community Art Center needs assistance to help in identifying and completing grant/funding applications. This opportunity can be done from your home along with periodic meetings with the executive director and staff. Looking for volunteers who have had experience in grant writing and/or working in non-profit agencies.

All of the above information was provided to Patch by the United Way of Waukesha County.