Service Opportunities
Are
you looking for way to give back to your community? Do you need philanthropy
hours for a scholarship, club, or Greek group? Do you want to change the world?
You’ve come to the right place! The Center for Social Responsibility offers a
variety of direct service projects and volunteer opportunities throughout the
community. Whether you want to volunteer occasionally or commit to regular
service hours, the Center will connect you to a position that fits your
schedule and interests. Please contact the Center if you have an idea for a
project or want to help with an existing program listed below. The
opportunities listed are updated weekly, but feel free to check in with the
Center any time as the need in the community is constantly changing and new
opportunities are always coming up! Contact Us: leadwell@ripon.edu
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ONE-TIME/SINGLE DAY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
*NOW*
Ripon Area Clergy Association Annual Potluck Dinner Thurs., Aug. 29,
Great Hall, Harwood Union – The Ripon Area Clergy Association Potluck is always
one of the highlights of the first week of school at Ripon. Volunteers
are needed during the afternoon, from 3-5pm for setup, and from 7-8pm for
cleanup. Contact Melissa Bemus at bemusm@ripon.edu to sign up.
*SOON*
Community Engagement Fair, Tuesday, September 10, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Great
Hall, Harwood Union—Don’t miss this unique event where volunteer opportunities,
internships and services come to you! Visit with over 20 community
organizations and get involved today. Everyone welcome! Win great
prizes too! Contact Lindsay Blumer at blumerl@ripon.edu.
*COMING
UP* Eagle Scout Sidewalk Installation Sat., Sept. 14, and Sun., Sept., 15, between
Smith Hall and East Hall – Help a Ripon High School student complete his Eagle
Scout project by installing a sidewalk between the college and the First
Congregational UCC Church. Work times to be arranged. Food provided.
Contact Chris Lyke at chris.lyke@yahoo.com to sign up.
*COMING
UP* Ripon Septemberfest Sat., Sept. 21, Downtown Ripon –
Septemberfest is one of the City of Ripon’s annual festivals, complete with a
classic car show, peddle tractor races, food booths, and more. Volunteers
are needed for one to two hour shifts between 7am and 5pm. Contact Jason
Mansmith of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at chamber@ripon-wi.com or 920-748-6764 to
sign up.
*COMING
UP* Habitat for Humanity Build Day – Sat., Sept. 7, 8am-4pm, Oshkosh – Meet
other first-year students by participating in this special event at Oshkosh
Habitat for Humanity. We will be installing fascia and soffit on a house
there. No previous experience is necessary. Transportation is
provided, leaving from campus at 7:15am and returning around 4:45.
Contact David Scott at scottdw@ripon.edu to sign up.
*LOOKING
AHEAD* Red Cross Blood Drive, Tuesday, September 24th, 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. in Great Hall. Save a life today by making an appointment
to donate blood. Students, faculty and staff are welcome. Please
contact Pat Fredrick at fredrickp@ripon.edu to get first pick of
appointment times!
*SPECIAL
OPPORTUNITY* 10th Annual Human Race, Saturday, September 28 at
Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac. “Be a Hero” is the theme of the 5K and 1-Mile
Challenge, and this year it’s all about the kids!
Dress
as your favorite superhero and take part in a variety of challenges designed
and coordinated by the YMCA (Color Throw); American Red Cross (preparedness
challenge); the Arc of Fond du Lac (putting green); Lutheran Homes & Health
Services; Salvation Army and more. Prize drawings will be held at 10 a.m. and
11 a.m. for those that complete half of the challenges in the 1-mile course.
High-fives and hugs will be available from the mascots attending the 1-mile
event, including Fang from the Timber Rattlers; Rudy, the A&W Root Beer
Bear; Browser from the Fond du Lac Public Library; Cookie Monster from the
Ripon Cookie Daze; the Ripon High School Tiger and more, PLUS a special
appearance from Santa Claus, who will be available for pictures between
8:30 a.m. & 9:00 a.m. Food and beverages will be available for
purchase from the Fond du Lac Music Parents, and kids can visit the
face-painting and hair coloring stations any time between 9 and 11 a.m.
As
in the past, the Human Race can be used as a fund-raising event for 501(c)3
organizations in Fond du Lac County. Simply fill out the pledge form and
secure your pledges-75% of everything you raise will be returned to your
charity of choice, and 25% remains with the Volunteer Center. If you would
prefer to just be a part of the run/walk, pledges are not required, and you can
simply pay the registration fee.
Please
give us a call at (920) 926-1414 with any questions you might have.
Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 28 at
Lakeside Park!
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SCHOLARSHIP/AWARD OPPORTUNITIES
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ONGOING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Boys
& Girls Club Bridge Program
The
Bridge program pairs a middle school student with a mentor who will help them
with academics and life skills. We have approximately 100 students in
need of mentoring and it's a great opportunity for students at Ripon
College to get hands-on experience. Mentors are assigned to one or two
students, and are paired with the student(s) for the entire school year to keep
consistency of mentoring. Mentors meet with the students at least once a week
for about an hour. Mentoring takes place during the student’s study hall
or after school, depending on the schedule of the student. Paid
opportunities available!!
If
you're interested in becoming a mentor for the Bridge program,
contact Program Director, Lance Poppy, at (920) 361-2717 or bgca_berlinpd@centurytel.net.
The
Ripon Community Thrift Store and Food Pantry
We're
looking for volunteers! Currently there are three main areas of need:
Thrift
Store: Serve customers, keep the store neat and clean and organized.
Sorting
Room: Receive, sort, clean and organize donations.
Food
Pantry: Serve food pantry customers on Mondays, clean and organized pantry.
Please
note that volunteers may be asked to pitch in wherever necessary, and that all
positions require considerable time on your feet and some light lifting, at
times up to 30 lbs.
The
Thrift Store and Sorting Room is open Tuesday thru Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm and
Saturday: 10:00am-3:00pm. The Food Pantry is open Mondays: 10:00am-3:00pm.
Volunteer
applications are available from the Center for Social Responsibility (located
on the top floor of the Harwood Memorial Union) and will need to be filled out
before you can start volunteering. Contact the Center at leadwell@ripon.edu with questions.
Thrasher
Opera House
The
Thrasher Opera House (in downtown Green Lake) is looking for interns on a
volunteer basis, or paid, if funding can be found. The mission of the nonprofit
501(c)3 Thrasher organization is to promote the arts and the power of live
performance, provide a community gathering place, and preserve the historic
Thrasher Opera House. The Thrasher (www.thrasheroperahouse.com) is run by
three staff members who get the job done, but don't have time for extra
projects. We would be very appreciative of regular help from student(s)
interested in the arts, marketing, nonprofit work, or historic preservation.
Projects include marketing, social media, writing press releases, designing and
implementing surveys, archiving, database updating, event staffing, and more.
One day a week, or two half-days, would be great. Office hours are generally
weekdays from 9:30-4:30. If you would like to get involved, contact Maria
Dietrich at maria@thrasheroperahouse.com, dietrichm@ripon.edu or call 920-294-4279 for more information.
Prairie
Place Assisted Living Facility
Prairie
Place, an assisted living facility in Ripon (formerly American House—although
moved and under new ownership), is in need of musicians willing to spend 30
minutes to 45 minutes performing musical pieces for the residents. They are
looking for college students, professors, or staff members who would be willing
to play, practice, sing, etc. for the residents (usually around 2:00 p.m. or
2:30 p.m.) for only 30 to 45 minutes at your convenience. They are even open to
hosting a small ensemble that is looking to practice a piece or just have a
very grateful audience. If you wish, this opportunity could be one time only,
or turn into a weekly or monthly ‘mini-concert’. The residents are very
grateful when someone shares their musical gifts, and volunteers often find
they are as enriched as the audience for which they perform. If you are
interested please let me know and I’d be happy to sit down with you and plan
the details to ensure a rewarding experience for all. Thank you! For more
information please contact the Center at leadwell@ripon.edu
Art
in the Classroom
Do
you like working with kids? Looking for a low-key volunteer opportunity that
has a BIG impact? Then sign up for “Art in the Classroom”! Art in the Classroom
is a great program here in Ripon that helps get great art into elementary
school classrooms through the help of volunteers like you. Here’s how it works:
Sign up to be a volunteer and you will receive a folder with a picture of a
great work of art (think Mona Lisa). In the folder will also be ideas for
activities, fun facts about the art piece and contact information for a Murray
or Barlow Park elementary school teacher. Just email the teacher, work out a
time when you come into the classroom for an hour or less and then just show
up! You’ll get to educate the entire class about the art piece and have fun!
It’s easy and the students will love you. To find out more or to sign up
contact Jack Frank at 920-748-6347.
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NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
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ADVOCACY/AWARENESS/MONETARY PHILANTHROPY OPPORTUNITIES
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INTERNSHIPS/CONFERENCE/JOBS
PAID INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
Are you a junior or senior at
Ripon College? Contact the Center today to get a list of paid internship
opportunities. Don’t wait—they are going fast. Lots to choose from:
nonprofit organizations, businesses, government institutions and even here at
Ripon College. Email leadwell@ripon.edu
PAID MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Green Lake County is looking for
mentors for elementary school-aged kids. The mentoring program is for
Green Lake County but the hiring agency is community options in Green
Lake. They will complete a background check and a car is needed. We
would like the mentors to commit to at least one year. The mentors get
paid and it is $15 an hour. The contact person for Community Options is Sarah
Naparella, 294-6099.
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DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
If
you have a service opportunity, service/social justice issue related
conference, or non-profit cause you would like the campus to know about, please
email the Center at leadwell@ripon.edu by Tuesday
for publication on Wednesday. Updates are published every Wednesday except
during college breaks.
