As we begin a new year, January is a time to reflect, reset, and renew our commitment to one another. Volunteers are the heart of our work, and the dedication you bring—especially during the winter months—helps ensure our community starts the year stronger and more connected. This month, we’re highlighting the impact of volunteerism, sharing opportunities to get involved, and celebrating the many ways volunteers make a difference every day.

Be a Community Connector
Volunteers in the Outreach and Marketing role with First Call for Help serve as ambassadors at community events and outreach activities. They distribute informational materials, answer questions, and engage with the public to raise awareness of available services. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy connecting with diverse groups and feel passionate about the agency’s mission and impact. Opportunities are available both on-site and in the community, with flexible scheduling and training provided to ensure volunteers feel prepared and confident while representing the organization. Learn more.

Counting with Compassion
Kootasca Community Action will lead Itasca County in the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count on the night of Wednesday, January 28, 2026. This collaborative effort brings together local organizations, community groups, and public agencies to better understand homelessness. Volunteers help identify unsheltered locations, encourage participation, and conduct surveys with people staying outside, in shelters, vehicles, temporary housing, or doubled up with others. Support is also needed to distribute basic comfort items. A required virtual training will be held January 19, 2026, for all interested volunteers. Get involved.

 Teach on the Hills
Join Mount Itasca as a Learn to Ride coach! Help youth experience the joy of winter recreation by teaching them the basics of skiing or snowboarding. Opportunities extend beyond coaching to include trail grooming, tree trimming, and leadership roles on the board of directors. Start now.

Inspire Youth
Volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland offers a unique opportunity to teach young people valuable life lessons while learning something about yourself in the process. The Grand Rapids and Greenway chapters offer a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the school year and summer, including supporting classroom activities, assisting with homework, arts and crafts, reading, and more. Take action.

Amplify Impact
Do you love the library and want to make a positive community impact? The Friends of the Grand Rapids Area Library (GRAL) are seeking a volunteer board member with a focus on marketing. This role includes managing the GRAL Friends Facebook page and collaborating with Library staff to promote events and opportunities. The GRAL Friends are an award-winning nonprofit that supports library programs, collections, and improvements through fundraising and advocacy. Board members meet twice monthly and help guide fundraising, outreach, and support efforts.
Sign up.

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, serves as the county’s central hub for volunteerism—connecting people to meaningful opportunities that strengthen our community. Through this shared platform, nonprofits can post opportunities and manage volunteers at no cost, thanks to United Way’s investment in building community capacity. Last year alone, more than 400 volunteers found opportunities that matched their skills, passions, and interests.

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. The network will meet on January 8, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Second Harvest Northland (2222 Cromell Dr, Grand Rapids). Membership is free. To learn more and to register, visit uwlakes.org/volunteer-network or call 218-999-7570.