For the City Times

The United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center is seeking to recruit volunteers and match volunteers to the following non-profit organizations needing help in Wood and Adams County.

State of WI Board on Aging & Long Term Care-

Volunteer Ombudsman -Ombudsman provide support and help to nursing home residents 60 years old and older. The Volunteer Ombudsman component of the nursing home is looking for volunteers throughout Wood County. Volunteers spend 2-3 hours weekly visiting an assigned nursing home. The Volunteer Ombudsman act as advocates for the residents and are the eyes and ears of the Regional Ombudsman. Volunteers are provided training and ongoing skill enhancement. Potential volunteers must submit to a criminal background checks.

Heartland Hospice-

Bereavement volunteer: Ideal for those needing a flexible schedule, bereavement volunteers spend time with individuals receiving Heartland Hospice services. You can make visits to the bereaved providing companionship and facilitating through the grief process. There is a specific orientation for this to make you comfortable and prepared for making visits. You will work closely with the bereavement coordinator to support families through the first 13 months after the loss of a loved one.

Office volunteer: Administrative/office volunteers contribute to the Heartland Hospice mission by providing needed office support. Some of the activities include mailing of bereavement newsletters, assembling volunteer workshop manuals and in-service packets, filing, assisting with preparation and set-up for volunteer workshops, posting requests for volunteers, and organizing documentation for team review. Administrative volunteers work in Heartland Hospice’s Stevens Point office.

Therapy Dog volunteer: For those who have a therapy certified dog or are seeking to get their dog certified, therapy dog volunteers are also needed. Volunteers and their pets are needed to visit patients living with a life limiting illness. Pet therapy volunteers and their pets provide companionship and social interaction for patients that enjoy animals. All dogs must be current on shots and certified as a pet therapy dog. Contact Heartland if you have questions about the certification process.

For more information contact United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center at 715-421-0390 or visit their website at www.volunteerinnerwisc.org.