As the leaves begin to turn and the air becomes crisp, fall presents a wonderful opportunity to give back to your community. Whether you’re looking to make a difference or simply want to connect with others, volunteering can be a rewarding experience, especially as the holiday season approaches.  

Here are several ways you can support your community this season:  

Make Connections that Matter
Itasca Youth for Christ is looking for volunteers for their drop-in center. Volunteering with Crossroads Youth Center is a great way to engage with and inspire young minds. The center seeks caring adults to help create a safe and fun environment for teens, ages 13-18.  Duties include running the mini snack and coffee shop, playing games, and building relationships with youth. Get involved.

Provide Search & Rescue Support
The Itasca County Search and Rescue (SAR) is looking to enhance and grow its team! The SAR Team provides search, rescue, or recovery support that may be requested by the Itasca County Sheriff. Those interested in joining must be 18 years or older, be an Itasca County resident, have a valid Minnesota Driver’s License, and be willing to work hard in all weather conditions. Express interest.

Deliver Nourishment and Smiles 
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Meals on Wheels movement, which aims to improve the health and independence of homebound seniors. Coordinated by Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), the program seeks reliable volunteers to deliver fresh meals and friendly greetings to adults living in Grand Rapids. Deliveries take about 1 hour to complete. Sign up.

Create Video Content
Are you passionate about media, video production, broadcast, journalism, or performing arts? ICTV is looking for volunteers to help tell the story of our community. Using basic camera operations, volunteers capture local news and happenings across the Itasca community. Camera equipment and training are provided. Learn more.

Provide Home Essentials
Throughout November and December, United Way of 1000 Lakes is looking for community changemakers to support their Home for Good program. The drive, held annually, provides individuals and families transitioning into stable housing with essential household and personal care items. Volunteer rolls include donating needed items from the online list, holding a packing party to make essentials packs, and hosting a drop box to
collect supplies. Register.

Bonfire is an online platform powered by United Way of 1000 Lakes that matches community members to volunteer opportunities with local organizations. Connect with these and other nonprofit partners, like Children’s Discovery Museum and Support Within Reach, at volunteer.uwlakes.org and explore ways you can make a difference. 

United Way also leads the Volunteer Coordinator Network (VCN), which brings volunteer professionals together quarterly to share ideas, discuss challenges, and work together to ignite regional volunteer action. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the October 10th VCN session has been postponed.  It is tentatively rescheduled for November 7th at First Call for Help of Itasca County (815 NW 4th ST, Grand Rapids). Membership is free. To learn more and to register, visit uwlakes.org/volunteer-network or call 218-999-7570.