February may be the shortest month of the year, but the impact of volunteering is anything but small. As winter lingers and community needs remain high, volunteers continue to show up with compassion, dedication, and a willingness to serve where it matters most. From supporting neighbors facing food insecurity to strengthening social connectedness , February is a reminder that even a few hours of service can make a meaningful difference—right when it’s needed most. Learn more.

Power Winter Fun on the Slopes
Mount Itasca’s Snow Jam takes place February 28–March 1, and volunteers are needed to help make it an unforgettable winter weekend. Support traffic and parking, assist with ski or snowboard patrol, or help judge the snowboarding competition if you have experience. Learn to Ride coaches are also needed Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4–6 p.m., throughout February. Volunteers play a key role in keeping the slopes safe, fun, and exciting for all. Volunteers receive a free lift ticket for their help. Get involved.

Stand With Someone in Crisis
Looking for a meaningful way to make a difference? Support Within Reach is seeking caring volunteers to serve as after-hours Crisis Advocates in Itasca County. Advocates respond to phone calls from home, offering calm, supportive guidance to individuals during moments of crisis, with occasional travel to local hospitals as needed. Volunteers commit to at least two shifts per month and receive training and ongoing support. If you’re a good listener, dependable, and want to be there for someone when it matters most, this role could be a great fit. Start now.

Share Compassion at Life’s End
Hospice volunteers offer comfort, companionship, and steady support to patients and families during life’s final chapter. As part of the Essentia Health Hospice Care Team, volunteers may visit patients in their homes or care facilities, provide caregiver respite, share conversation or simple activities, run small errands, or assist with office-based projects. Volunteers serve within 60 miles of Grand Rapids, choose when and how they help, and receive training and support. If you’re 18 or older and have a compassionate heart, hospice volunteering is a meaningful way to care for your community. Take action.

Drive with Purpose
Do you enjoy driving and helping others? Arrowhead Transit is seeking volunteer drivers in Itasca County to provide rides to medical appointments for community members. Volunteers must be 18+, have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and proof of insurance. Use your own vehicle and receive mileage reimbursement, from when you leave home until you return. Stay socially connected, meet new people, and help ensure access to vital healthcare—one ride at a time. Sign up.

Share the Magic of Reading
Do you have children’s books at home waiting for a new reader? Project READ is collecting new or gently used children’s books to help ensure families in our community have access to reading materials at home. By donating books—or hosting a book drive—you can spark imagination, support early learning, and help children build the social and emotional skills that come from shared stories. Every book matters. Together, we can help build a brighter future, one story at a time. Learn more.

Sign up for these opportunities—or explore dozens more ways to give back—by visiting volunteer.uwlakes.org.

Volunteer Itasca, powered by United Way of 1000 Lakes, is the region’s go-to hub for connecting people with meaningful ways to give back. The platform brings volunteers and nonprofits together in one easy place, strengthening our community through shared action. Nonprofits can post opportunities and manage volunteers at no cost—an investment United Way makes to build local capacity. In 2025 alone , volunteers contributed nearly1,600 hours of service across Itasca County, helping local organizations extend their reach and deepen their impact. Whether you’re looking to lend a hand or grow your volunteer program, Volunteer Itasca is where community connection begins.

If your organization would like to share volunteer opportunities—contact Molly Hiipakka, United Way’s Community Impact Coordinator, at 218-999-7570 or molly@uwlakes.org.