Giving Back: 12 Great Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors in Madison

Whether you’re newly retired or been out of the workforce for a while, you may be wondering what to do with your newly found free time.. Well, why not volunteer? Giving of your time and your talents to an organization that you care about can have many positive effects, both for you and for the people you serve. And Janet Meydam has all the info you need to find volunteer opportunities in the Madison area.

Volunteering does much more than just get you “out of the house”. Older adults benefit from volunteering in several ways:

• Volunteer positions offer the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
• The physical and mental requirements of volunteer positions help to keep both mind and body in good shape.
• Volunteering can give seniors new roles and new purposes that help to give direction to life.
• Learning new skills and encountering new challenges might be part of taking on a volunteer role.
• Existing talents and skills are also sharpened and improved by challenging volunteer placements.
• Helping others through volunteering provides a wonderful sense of gratification.

Clearly serving in volunteer positions is a wonderful way to improve your own quality of life. The people or organizations that you give your time to benefit greatly from your efforts, but remember that you benefit just as much as they do. 

Madison is full of volunteer opportunities for older adults and it is impossible to list them all here, but we have selected a sampling for you. The following list includes 12 Madison area organizations that encourage seniors to volunteer:

• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County - RSVP is a program that matches people age 55 and older with volunteer opportunities throughout Dane County. Their programs include community non-profit and government organizations, driving positions, Veterans Helping Veterans, working with children through tutoring or other activities, group crafting projects, and participation in educational opportunities. (Link)
• Madison Senior Center - Operated by the City of Madison, the Madison Senior Center offers a host of activities for older adults, and in turn welcomes older adults to volunteer to help with those activities. Opportunities include leading an activity, group or class, helping people with technology issues, providing services such as haircuts, or simply answering the phone. (Link)
• Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL) - SAIL is a membership run senior center open to adults age 55 and older. Volunteers help prepare events, provide office support, assist with household chores and handyman services, write and edit articles for the SAIL newsletter, serve as drivers, and assist with committees and outreach. Members of SAIL are especially encouraged to volunteer within the organization. (Link)
• NewBridge - Newbridge offers services to older adults regardless of ability to pay. Volunteers help with programs like food delivery, performing chores such as shoveling snow, helping at NewBridge’s nutrition site, and providing guardianship or representative payee services. (Link) 
• Goodman Community Center - The Goodman Community Center provides programs for people of all ages. Volunteers can help with food distribution, programs for seniors, clubs for children and teens, or health and fitness classes. (Link)
• Dane County Parks Volunteer Program - Outdoor volunteer opportunities are abundant through Dane County Parks. Volunteers can become involved in habitat and wildlife restoration and preservation, youth activities, or park friends groups. Other volunteer activities include growing native plants, participating in community science events, or becoming a campground host. (Link) 
• Henry Vilas Zoo - Animal lovers can find volunteer opportunities at the Henry Vilas Zoo. The zoo offers both one time and ongoing positions, including helping with events or groups, greeting visitors, operating the train and carousel, leading educational programs, helping on work crews, or handling zoo mascot Henry the Lion. (Link)
• University of Wisconsin - Madison Arboretum - The Arboretum is one of the most well known outdoor spaces in Madison, and volunteers are always needed. Helping with gardening, plant propagation, ecological restoration, visitor center services, and summer day camp are just a few of the ways volunteers serve. (Link)
• Wisconsin State Park System - The Wisconsin State Park System offers many opportunities for volunteers at local state parks, including Governor Nelson State Park in Waunakee and Lake Kegonsa State Park in Stoughton. Opportunities include cleaning and maintenance during park work days, serving as a campground host, naturalist, or nature center host, or working in a visitor center. (Link)
• Madison Public Library - The Madison Public Library has several volunteer activities for people who love books. Volunteer positions include library book sales, special projects, working at the Friends book store, or helping with the Wisconsin Book Festival. (Link)
• Wisconsin Historical Society - There are many volunteer opportunities for history buffs at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Volunteers help visitors, research genealogy queries, prepare documents for microfilming, or work on digital transcription projects. The Museum Archaeology Program needs volunteer help caring for collections and assisting with research. Many volunteers are also needed to help with National History Day. (Link)
• Ronald McDonald House Charities - Madison - Helpers at Ronald McDonald House make it easier for parents of hospitalized children by performing essential duties at both the Ronald McDonald House located at 2716 Marshall Ct., and the Family Room located inside SSM St. Mary’s Hospital. Volunteers welcome families, clean and organize spaces, and restock items. Volunteers also help with front desk duties and van driving. (Link)

This list is just a sampling of the opportunities available to older adults in Madison and Dane County. The organizations and types of volunteer placements available are numerous and exist in every area of interest. These volunteer opportunities will help you stay sharp, stay in shape, and yes, get out of the house!