Volunteers of Lake Country

Past Projects

Browse all of our past volunteer opportunites below to see what we have already accomplished. If you are interested in signing up for a volunteer opportunity, please visit our current/upcoming projects page to start making a difference.

View Upcoming Projects / View Past Projects

Project: ONGOING PROJECT...SHARE A BOOK....AN INVESTMENT IN THE SUCCESS OF CHILDREN!

Website: PLEASE SHARE OUTGROWN BOOKS....OR CONSIDER ORGANIZING A BOOK DRIVE IN YOUR SUBDIVISION, YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR CHURCH OR WORK!

Start Date: 2011-12-31

End Date: 2011-12-31

Time Commitment: Donation of Children's Books

Description: This is an ongoing....continuous Project for VLC! Volunteers of Lake Country established a Children' s Free Library at the Hope Center in August of 2010. The outpouring of book drives and book donations this entire year has allowed us to continue to maintain this library. We have been giving 1,000 books to children each month. We need your help year round to be able to continue to maintain this library! Gently used infant/ toddler board books, read to me picture/story books, and easy level chapter books through 5th grade books are the levels always needed. Please share books your children have outgrow that are in 'like new' condition, or consider being a collection location for your friends in your subdivision, at school, church or at work. Books can be dropped off in the porch at 702 E. Capitol Drive/Hartland, or directly at the Hope Center at 502 N. East Avenue/ Waukesha. (Only these level of books are presently needed). Books are a luxury that many families cannot afford, yet there is no question that children having books in their home encourages reading... and that reading initiates an interest in our world and success in school!

Project: Ongoing Project: VLC's Children's Free Library

Website:

Start Date: 2010-11-04

End Date: 2011-02-27

Time Commitment: Donation

Description: VLC has established a Children's Free Library at the Hope Center in Waukesha to get books into the hands of children. Studies have shown a direct correlation between the number of books in the home, and children's success in school and therefore in life. Since VLC began we have collected 20,000 books! We are giving 1,200 to children every month. We will not be collecting again until spring....however, we are presently out of board books for toddlers. If you have any to share, they can always be dropped at the front porch at 702 E. Capital Drive/ Hartland, or at the Hope Center 501 N. East Avenue/Waukesha. Thank you for your commitment to this project!

Project: On Going Project: Spring, Summer & Fall....Volunteer In the Garden for Good!

Website: http://volcgarden.blogspot.com/

Start Date: 2010-11-01

End Date: 2010-10-30

Time Commitment: Whatever time you can give!

Description: If you are willing to weed and water for an hour or two one day a month....one day every 2 weeks, or one day a week....please let us know by clicking 'volunteer' what dates work for you and we will add your name to the calendar. If you prefer not to commit to a specific day ....just stop at the garden when it is convenient....and if you see a bed that needs weeding....start pulling! This is the second season of Volunteer of Lake Country's Garden for Good! All of it's produce, and any extra produce you would like to share from your home gardens are delivered to the area pantries and meal sites several times a week. Produce you wish to donate can be dropped off at 702 E. Capitol Dr. in Hartland. To see photos, and read more about the garden, or for directions to the garden, go to the 'news tab' of our website, and click on 'Garden for Good Blog' in the far right hand column, OR click on the link above!

Project: May's Project / Community Spring Work Day

Website:

Start Date: 2010-05-22

End Date: 2010-05-22

Time Commitment: 2 hours

Description: SORRY...THIS PROJECT IS FULL...all of the clients in the Lake Country area are being helped! May 22nd will be a special community project. Volunteers of Lake Country will be doing Spring Yard Clean Up at the homes of the elderly and disabled in our LC Community! This kind of help in the spring and in the fall allows these residents to continue to be able to live independantly. We will be raking the lawns, cleaning out the flower beds, possibly washing lower level windows and gutters, and putting out yard furniture. If you enjoy working outside, and are willing to give 2 hours of your time, please mark your calendar, and click to volunteer! We will put work teams in groups of 4-6 volunteers each and assign you a clients home.

Project: Earth Day at Old World Wisconsin

Website: http://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/

Start Date: 2010-04-17

End Date: 2010-04-17

Time Commitment: 9-12:30

Description: 150 volunteers helped to ready the grounds at Old World Wisconsin last year prior to their opening. Volunteers of Lake Country were there with work gloves, rakes, and tarps in hand! It was fun to be working outside, and so rewarding to see what 150 volunteers accomplished in 3 1/2 hours time! We have decided to put it on the VLC schedule again! Old World will again be hosting this opportunity on Saturday April 17th. It is exciting to think that is only a few weeks away...because last year it was sunny and hot! This is another 'family friendly' volunteer opportunity, so children are welcome! Let us know by Monday April 5th if possible, as they need a head count 2 weeks prior! Old World will provide a wonderful Chili Lunch at 12:30 as a thank you...and to give us the strength for the beautiful drive home!

Project: Collection of Baby Items for Healthy Families of Waukesha County

Website: http://www.healthyfamilieswaukesha.org

Start Date: 2010-03-27

End Date: 2010-03-27

Time Commitment: 2 hours

Description: Many new parents are faced with challenges such as financial disparity, lack of affordable housing, lack of knowledge of parenting skills, no medical insurance, and limited family support. Alone...except for the support and education that the Healthy Families program provides. The support to become an loving parent. We have worked with this organization for an entire year...they do such amazing work to prevent child abuse and neglect. We will be passing out fliers of needed items to customers at the Pewaukee Wal-Mart.,Oconomowoc KMart, and the Hartland Walgreens, filling SUV's with diapers, formula, baby clothes etc... We need a 2 hour commitment...please click 'volunteer' and give us a hand! Also, please be aware, that we will accept all gently used baby equipment (cribs (soda can cannot fit thru the rails), pack N plays, infant swings, playmats, changing tables etc...and infant/toddler clothing. Everything must be clean, and clothing in a plastic bag, or boxed. Donations can be dropped off on the porch at W305N6781 Red Fox Run/Hartland between now and 3/27.

Project: Food Drive for the Hartland and Pewaukee Food Pantries and the Lake Area Free Clinic

Website: We Need Your Help!

Start Date: 2010-02-20

End Date: 2010-02-20

Time Commitment: 10:00-noon, noon-2:00, 2:00-4:00

Description: Saturday Feb. 20th...a 2 hour commitment. We will be working in the lobby at the Pewaukee and Hartland Pick N Save's. The food pantries are struggling to keep up with the growing need in our communities. Shelves are full one week...and empty 2 weeks later! We have found when we are on site at the grocery store...passing out a flier of items needed to their customers and asking if they might be able to purchase a few items and donate them on their way out...that they are excited to participate! Please set this date aside...it is fun, and very exciting to see the SUV's filling with donations! Click on 'volunteer' to let us know you can give us a hand...and be a part of making a difference!

Project: Food Drive for the Oconomowoc Food Pantry & the Lake Area Free Clinic!

Website: VOLUNTEER SPOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED! PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FOOD DRIVE IN FEBRUARY INSTEAD.

Start Date: 2010-01-23

End Date: 2010-01-23

Time Commitment: 10:00-noon, noon-2:00, or 2:00-4:00

Description: Saturday Jan. 23rd...a 2 hour commitment. We will be working in the lobby at both of the Pick N Save's in Oconomowoc. The food pantries are struggling to keep up with the growing need in our communities. Shelves are full one week...and empty 2 weeks later! We have found that when we are on site at the grocery store, passing out a flier of items needed and asking if they might be able to purchase a few items and donate them on their way out...they are excited to participate! Please set this date aside...it is fun, and very exciting to see the SUV's filling with donations! Click on 'volunteer' to let us know you can give us a hand...and be a part of making a difference!

Project: Can You Help A Child In Need This Christmas?

Website: http://www.christmasclearingcouncil.org

Start Date: 2009-09-01

End Date: 2009-12-16

Time Commitment: Donation

Description: Sponsoring a child in need this Christmas is a very personal giving experience. If you can make a commitment of $60.00 and a bit of your time. (based your budget, you can request a family with one child, or more) We will match you with a specific family...a family who is struggling to make ends meet...a family in Waukesha County...or a family right in our Lake Country Community! Last year Christmas Clearing Council (the non-profit we will be working with, who qualify the families) served 4,600 children in Waukesha County. There were over 200 children who applied for help in Hartland, Nashotah, Oconomowoc, and Pewaukee..55 of those children went unsponsored! We are hoping that the Volunteers of Lake Country can come forward to meet this need! We will match you with a family, and give you their names, phone number etc... You will give mom a call, (she will be so grateful, and relieved to know that you will be helping to bring the magic of Christmas to her child!) get the child's wish/need list, shop and deliver the gifts by December 16th! I promise it will be a Christmas you will not forget...and sponsoring will become a new Christmas tradition for you and yours! Our family has done it for over 20 years...so feel free to contact me with any questions!

Project: October's Client of The Month Project

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-10-01

End Date: 2009-10-30

Time Commitment: Donations!

Description: Human Services has provided us with a really wonderful,hard-working mom of 4 who is moving into the Lake Country community of Pewaukee in the next week! She and her children are starting a new life, after living with the adversity of physical abuse and domestic violence. We have a lot of big furniture in our storage locker already, that we will share with her. A lot of her needs are smaller items that I think all of us can help her out with! Please give her a Lake Country welcome...and drop off items on her wish list at the porch of W305N6781 Red Fox Run/Hartland. 2 Bunk Beds, or Trundle Beds(frames & mattresses) Pots & Pans a queen bed frame sheets, blankets and comforters for twin beds landry baskets / hangers toy box area rugs light builbs, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels

Project: Volunteers of Lake Country's Garden For Good

Website: http://volcgarden.blogspot.com/

Start Date: 2009-10-25

End Date: 2009-10-25

Time Commitment: Donation of Time

Description: To close the year out, we are going to have a garden clean-up on October 25 at noon. (rain date of Nov. 1 at noon) Please bring rakes, gloves, shovels, and landscape cloth if you have it. I would like to cover the gardens so weeds don't grow and take hold during the fallow season. If you have any bulbs you would like to donate, please bring them along and we will spruce up the perennial border.

Project: Hebron House (homeless shelter for Women & Children serving Waukesha County)

Website: http://www.hebronhouse.org/

Start Date: 2009-10-24

End Date: 2009-10-24

Time Commitment: a 2 hour commitment (10:00-12:00, 12:00-2:00, 2:00-4:00)

Description: WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR OUR OCTOBER PROJECT! Volunteers of Lake Country will be doing a collection of needed items for Hebron House, the Homeless Shelter for women and children in Waukesha, before the winter months set in. We will be passing out lists of needed items (items can be viewed at Hebrons website above under 'wish list') to customers at both the Hartland and Oconomowoc Piggly Wiggly stores. We will be asking customers to purchase some of the needed items and donate them on their way out. The generosity of the Lake Country community has been amazing at this kind of a drive in the past! This is a really fun event...two of the Klements Racing Sausages will be taking turns at the locations! It is a 2 hour commitment on Saturday October 24th, shifts are listed above. Men's, women's, and children's gently used wintercoats, along with toiletries (deoderant, toothpaste & brushes, shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes, & disposable razors) are also being collected between now and October 24th and can be dropped ON the front porch at W305N6781 Red Fox Run/Hartland, or IN the front porch at 702 E. Capitol Drive/Hartland !

Project: Volunteers of Lake Country Garden for Good Fresh Produce Collection Program

Website: http://volcgarden.blogspot.com/

Start Date: 2009-07-01

End Date: 2009-10-01

Time Commitment: Donations of Fresh Produce

Description: The Garden for Good program collects fresh produce from the Volunteers of Lake Country Garden, and from people in the area who have more produce than they need, and are looking to share it with others. Produce is accepted at any time and in any amount. It can be dropped off on the front porch at 702 E. Capitol Drive in Hartland. We ask that it be washed and bagged separately if possible. Fresh produce donations are then distributed by volunteers to local food pantries, to several area meal sites who serve meals to those in need, as well as to the Food Pantry of Waukesha County, which distributes food to over 60 non-profit and social service agencies, If you wish to donate your produce directly please see the accompanying list of sites at the website listed above.

Project: We Need Your Help With Volunteers Of Lake Country's September Client!

Website: Please drop donations on the porch at W305 N6781 Red Fox Run/Hartland

Start Date: 2009-09-01

End Date: 2009-09-29

Time Commitment: Donations

Description: VLC receives a family each month from Waukesha Human Services, who have needs that are not being met. September's Client is a dad with 2 sons, ages 8 and 16. They were recently removed from their mothers custody and have been permanently placed with their father. They have arrived with almost nothing, and the father needs help to ready his apartment. The 3 of them are living in a 1 bedroom apartment. Dad is sleeping on a futon in a good size living room and the boys are sharing a very small bedroom. From so many generous donators we have already received a needed bunk bed, couch, love seat, ottoman, 2 side tables and a cocktail table, a dining table, chairs, an entertainment center, computer desk, and 2 dressers. We are presently only missing a few items from their wish list: kitchen towels, a wooden toy chest, shoes and winter boots boys size 6/7, men's shoes and boots size 10 1/2, and books about how to write comics or short stories.

Project: Retzer Nature Center/Apple Harvest Festival

Website: http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/page.aspx?SetupMetaId=10916&id=11078

Start Date: 2009-09-19

End Date: 2009-09-19

Time Commitment: 8:30-Noon

Description: Retzer Nature Center’s Apple Harvest Festival will be the location for our Fun Fall September Project. Volunteers of Lake Country will all be volunteering together in the children’s area, running simple crafts, games, and outdoor nature-related activities to help Retzer Nature Center with this project. Thousands attend this festival, and 100's of volunteers are needed. The shift is from 8:30-noon. (Retzer asks that children only 12 and older may volunteer on this project.) Volunteers will be accepted until sunday September 13th. Please share you name, address, and phone, as your information will be submitted to Retzer, and they will mail you info and a parking pass.

Project: Picnic for the Volunteers of Lake Country!

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-08-22

End Date: 2009-08-22

Time Commitment: Come for the day...or just stop in! We will be there from 11:30-4:00!

Description: Mark Your Calendars...August 22/ Picnic at Nixon Park in Hartland! Volunteers of Lake Country is taking the month off of projects, and planning a get together instead! We will be at Nixon Park from 11:30-4:00. Stop in whenever you can for a visit....or come for the day! We have reserved a shelter & volleyball court. There is basketball, baseball, tennis courts, & a playground, in the park… so it will be fun for all! Grills will be going from 12-2. If you come for lunch, bring your own everything and a dish to share! There are over 200 of us on the Volunteers of Lake Country email list...many volunteering...but often in groups of 10-20 on projects...it is time we all met! You may find out friends and neighbors are in this volunteer organization...and never knew it!)

Project: July's Client of the Month

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-07-01

End Date: 2009-07-28

Time Commitment: Donations can be dropped of on the front porch at : W305 N6781 Red Fox Run/Hartland

Description: Project: Each month Volunteers of Lake Country receives a Client from Health and Human Services, who has needs that are not being met. July's Client of the Month is a mother, and her 3 children. They have been living at Hebron House (a Homeless Shelter in Waukesha) for several months and were able to move into an apartment the 1st of July. They had left many items in a storage locker, and Volunteers of Lake Country has a needed dining room table and chairs, entertainment center, and 1 dresser which were recently donated for them. Still on their 'wish list' are: a set of dishes, 1 dresser and bath towels.

Project: Beat the Heat!!

Website:

Start Date: 2009-07-01

End Date: 2009-07-28

Time Commitment: All donations can be dropped on the porch at W305N6781 Red Fox Run/Hartland

Description: Project: We are also working with Health & Human Services on another project this month. The high temperature & humidity in our summers can be very dangerous to the elderly & to families. We are collecting new or used fans (box window fans, and room fans), kiddy pools, sprinkler and water toys, and bikes & bike helmets (of all sizes...children can use bikes to get to the park/pools and to jobs.) Please be sure all gently used fans & bikes are clean & are in working order. Check your garages and with family and neighbors, and watch the rummage sales! (if you don't have an old one to share...I have seen sales as low as $12.00 for a new box fan!)

Project: The Backpack Coalition of Waukesha County

Website: http://www.backpackcoalition.org

Start Date: 2009-07-25

End Date: 2009-07-25

Time Commitment: 2 hours

Description: Project: Volunteers will be passing out bags to customers as they enter 3 area stores, asking if they would consider purchasing and donating school supplies/ backpacks to help "Fill the Bus' that will be parked at each location. The Backpack Coalition of Waukesha County provides backpacks and school supplies for children in need in Waukesha County... items necessary to make their school year a successful one. Openings are available at the Delafield Walgreens and the Pewaukee Wal-Mart on any of the 3 shifts: 10-noon, noon, 2:00, or 2:00-4: 00. This is a family friendly volunteer opportunity (children of all ages are welcome to help with their parents) The Hartland Walgreens will be covered by the Arrowhead HS Key Club students! If you cannot volunteer on July 25th...please show your support by stopping to donate supplies that day at any of the 3 locations....or donations can be dropped at either of the Walgreen's collection box's between now and 7/25!

Project: June's Client

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-06-01

End Date: 2009-06-23

Time Commitment: Donations

Description: Project: Each month we help a Client from Health and Human Services with their 'wish list'. The generosity of this community has truly been over-whelming. We were again able to collect everything needed for June's Client! We collected baby gear, a bed & linens for mom, a crib, changing table, 2 dressers, kitchen items etc... A cargo van, and a Subaru totally filled with donations. The caseworker shared: Outcome: "When VLC left, Bev, the client & I walked through her apt. When we entered her bedroom, she was overcome with tears. She informed me that for the first time her room was beautiful.. that she was looking forward to getting a good night’s rest & had not slept in a bed in a long time". Thank you to the 15 donators and the 5 deliverers who made this possible!

Project: The Women's Center of Waukesha County

Website: www.twcwaukesha.org

Start Date: 2009-06-13

End Date: 2009-06-13

Time Commitment: 2 Hours

Description: Project: The Women's Center serves families of domestic violence & sexual abuse. We are looking for volunteers for a 2 hour commitment from 9-11:00. We may be doing grounds work outside, or readying rooms for new tenants. The Women's Center is a wonderful facility, with the most amazing staff. (though I wish it was not necessary to have such a place) Outcome: 9 Volunteers logged 22 1/2 hours weeding, raking and mulching their grounds. We were in awe of the difference just a handful of people made in just a few short hours! "I want to thank all of the wonderful people of Volunteers of Lake Country that came to The Women's Center on Saturday, June 13 to offer their time and service. All of your hard work is deeply appreciated. My fellow staff members commented on how much was done on Saturday. Your efforts made a big difference in cleaning up our landscaping. You all worked so hard on behalf of the women and children of The Women's Center." Sincerely, Sheila

Project: Food Drive For Area Food Pantry

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-05-30

End Date: 2009-06-06

Time Commitment: 2 Hours

Description: Project: Volunteers of Lake Country kicked off June by running a food drive. 26 volunteers distributed 1,000 bags into subdivisions in our community and collected the donations the following weekend. There were also 2 volunteers on three 2-hour shifts that worked at the Village Square Pick N Save, asking customers to consider donating items as well. Outcome: 41 volunteer hours...more than 200 bags of groceries...over 1500 items...and $167.00 was collected and delivered to the Hartland Food Pantry.

Project: May's Client

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-05-01

End Date: 2009-05-27

Time Commitment: Donations

Description: Project: The overwhelming response to 'April's Client', has encouraged us to run this project again. Caseworkers have provided a 'May's Client's'. She is a single mom with a 15 year old son. They left an extremely abusive home last October, and have been living in a 1 bedroom since. She has saved enough money, to afford a 2 bedroom apartment, and they just moved in. Her son now has his own bedroom, but no furniture yet. On their wish list: a full bed, bedding & computer desk, a dresser for her son's room & also for the mother's room. They could use a couple of living room chairs, tables & an entertainment center. Outcome: Furniture and gently used household items were shared again this month by you! Your donations have brought such joy & pride to others...others who are often beginning a fresh life after living thru circumstances that are often too difficult & painful to share. We delivered to May's Client...a hard working single mom & her 15 year old son. They were so grateful for your help, and asked me to thank you.

Project: Spring Yard Clean Up For Interfaith of Waukesha County

Website: www.interfaithwaukesha.org

Start Date: 2009-05-16

End Date: 2009-05-16

Time Commitment: 2 Hours

Description: Project: Interfaith is a non-profit who assists the elderly & disabled in Waukesha County. They have provided 3 clients, who are living independently, but need ahand at the beginning of the season. These are our neighbors...2 in Hartland & 1 in Delafield...2 in their late 60's...one is 89! Volunteers are needed Saturday May 16th from 9-11, to rake the yard & beds, cleaning lower level gutters & windows, and to put out the yard furniture. Outcome: 13 Volunteers of Lake Country committed to 2 hours of work on Sat. May 16th. We split into 3 teams, and worked at the homes of 3 area ladies! They were over-whelmed by the amount of work accomplished in 2 short hours...and their gratitude was truly touching.

Project: April's Client

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-04-01

End Date: 2009-04-29

Time Commitment: Donations

Description: Project: Meeting with Health & Human Services, and recognizing there were very basic needs not being met for their clients, we decided to try this project. We accepted a woman who was a stroke survivor, partially paralyzed on one side of her body as our client. HHS got her into an apartment...but all she had was a blow up mattress on the floor, and a lawn chair in the living room. Outcome: The generosity of the Lake Country Community was astonishing. We received a couch, loveseat, entertainment center, tables and lamps for the LR, a kitchen table & chairs, dishes, glasses, pots and pans, silverware, kitchen towels, a queen headboard, mattress, box spring, and chest of drawers for her bedroom, and linens and towels. The delivery that day, was something none of us will ever forget.

Project: Old World Wisconsin/Earth Day Clean Up

Website: www.wisconsinhistory.org

Start Date: 2009-04-18

End Date: 2009-04-18

Time Commitment: 3 1/2 Hours

Description: Project: 150 Volunteers are needed to help with the Spring clean up on the grounds before Old World Wisconsin opens for their new season. Bring your work gloves, rakes & tarps. Old World will provide a chili lunch as a thank you at 12:30! Outcome: 16 Volunteers of Lake Country worked together on a beautiful spring day at Old World Wisconsin. VLC contributed 56 hours of work that day! The place looked great, as we dragged our weary bodies in for a bowl of chili... energy needed to sustain us for our drive back from Eagle WI!!

Project: Collection of Baby Items For Health Families of Waukesha County

Website: www.healthyfamilieswaukesha.org.

Start Date: 2009-03-01

End Date: 2009-03-21

Time Commitment: Donations

Description: Project: Many new parents are faced with challenges such as financial disparity, lack of affordable housing, lack of knowledge of parenting skills, no medical insurance, limited family support and cultural barriers. These limitations often prevent parents from providing a stable home environment for their children. The Healthy Families program provides the support needed to become an effective parent. Outcome: Amazing....28 of the 100 on this email list participated in the drive for baby items for Healthy Families! Whether you distributed fliers & bags to 1,000 homes, dropped collection boxes at area hospitals, dropped donations off on a porch, or attended the baby shower...what we accomplished collectively is difficult to describe...3,000 diapers...cases & cases of formula...boxes & boxes of new baby clothing, wipes, baby wash, baby blankets etc...along with 8 large boxes of gently used items...2 SUV's full...amazing! Healthy Families was in tears! I know you will all agree, that WE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

Project: Food Drive for Hartland Food Pantry

Website: NA

Start Date: 2009-01-10

End Date: 2009-01-17

Time Commitment: 2 Hours

Description: Project: Our first project...Saturday Jan.10th, 1,000 bags were hung on doors in various subdivisions, letting neighbors know that we were collecting for the Hartland Food Pantry. The following Sat. volunteers returned to collect the full bags of groceries left on their porches. We also staffed a vol. at the entrance, and exit of our area Pic & Save that day, offering shoppers a bag to fill when they entered, and collecting them as they exited. Outcome: The Food Pantry opened at 3:30 for us, that afternoon, to allow us to unload. They were amazed...We were amazed! After only 2 hours of work...5 cars & a mini van pulled in & we began to unload over 250 bags! The total items collected on Jan. 17th by our group was 1,653 along with $90.00 in cash donations! We were so excited, and proud to have been apart of it...and we knew "We Made A Difference!" We were hooked...