Bethesda Continues its Mission of Helping People with Disabilities

A Lutheran pastor started Bethesda Lutheran Communities more than 100 years ago after a father reached out to his church to get support for his two children with special needs after his wife died. Lutheran congregations and people with children in group homes began opening Bethesda Thrift Shops all across the nation. Today, the agency […]

Sometimes, it’s the Little Things in Life that Make a Big Difference

David Hinds knows that even the simplest things in life can mean a lot to a 10 year-old boy from a single-parent home. He said CJ, his young mentee, loves to have dinner with Hinds and his wife and take their salt and pepper schnauzer, Holly, for a walk. “Sometimes it’s the dog walking him!” Hinds […]

RSVP Volunteer Keeps Vans Rolling for Veterans

At 81, RSVP member Cal Gardner is still driving – every day. He drives a shuttle at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center and the Housing Authority and recently began driving the Fox Valley Warming Shelter van, transporting the agency’s clients to downtown Appleton and other important destinations. And since the first of the year, he has […]

RSVP Volunteers Work to Save the Sight of Children

It’s amazing what a half-dozen RSVP volunteers can do. Since 2008, RSVP members Cathy and Jim Glasheen, Jim and Millie Mauthe, Phyllis Klahn and Anne Tischauser have provided free, sight-saving vision screenings for more than 3,000 preschoolers in Outagamie County on behalf of Prevent Blindness Wisconsin. They have referred 105 children for complete eye exams. […]

Volunteerism is Passed Down Through Generations

Volunteering is a family affair for Kathy Salm, who serves as board president and volunteer donation coordinator for the Center for Suicide Awareness. Her husband, Bob, is the emcee for the agency’s annual suicide awareness walk. Her daughter, Karen, posts items on the agency’s social media sites and Karen’s husband, Justin, designed and maintains the […]

Adult Tutor Provides Community Connection

Helping Latinos who are struggling with communication is one of Tom Stenklyft’s passions. The process brings him back to his roots. His grandparents emigrated from Sweden and in her later years as a widow, his grandmother lived with his family. He recalls her broken English and the difficulty she had with pronouncing the letter “j.” […]

Habitat for Humanity on track to build 17 homes in the Fox Cities

When Jodi Isom joined the Greater Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity as volunteer services manager in 2000, the agency was building two to three newly-constructed homes a year. This year, they are on track to build 17 homes, three of which are older structures that will be rehabilitated in conjunction with the agency’s home buyer […]

Nominate for the Youth Alliance Awards Today!

Now is your chance to nominate a deserving young member of your community! The 24th Annual Youth Alliance Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, April 28, at Liberty Hall in Kimberly. All individuals and organizations throughout the Fox Valley are encouraged to nominate youth individuals and youth groups who have demonstrated a commitment to […]

CASA Volunteers Give Children a Chance for a Better Life

  What a fitting event to honor Martin Luther King Jr. –  More than a dozen volunteers attended a Lunch & Learn at CASA of the Fox Cities on Monday in honor of MLK Day and National Mentoring Month. The event, which was co-sponsored by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), was held to […]

VolunteerFEST Brings Good to the Community

“But the real prize of the evening seemed to be the treasured work that lies ahead for this enthusiastic group of do-gooders!” By Ronda Seubert, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator On November 29, 2016, the Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin hosted its 4th Annual VolunteerFEST at Waverly Beach in Menasha.  It was a free and family […]