Lend A Hand In Milwaukee: Holiday Volunteer Opportunities Near You

The holiday season is about more than lights and celebrations — it’s also a meaningful time to give back and make a difference right here at home. We’ve rounded up a few organizations in and around Milwaukee that could use a helping hand this season. This isn’t an all-inclusive list, but a starting point — be sure to contact each group directly to learn about their current needs, requirements and how you can best support their efforts.

Community Projects for Seniors

Community Projects for Seniors brightens the lives of low-income older adults living in subsidized housing by reducing isolation and creating meaningful connections year-round. Volunteers play an essential role in everything from preparing and delivering holiday meals to hosting small social gatherings in senior apartment buildings, helping with care package deliveries or supporting nature outings.
Learn more: cpforseniors.org/volunteer

GiGi’s Playhouse

GiGi’s Playhouse Milwaukee provides free educational and therapeutic programs for individuals with Down syndrome, and volunteers play a central role in making those offerings possible. You can support the Playhouse in a variety of ways, including helping with programs and family engagement, math and literacy tutoring and assisting with major events. All volunteers must undergo a background check as well as training.
Learn more gigisplayhouse.org/milwaukee/volunteer

Hunger Task Force

Hunger Task Force tackles the fight against hunger and food insecurity in Milwaukee County, operating food banks, senior food box programs, the Mobile Market and a working farm that supplies fresh produce. Volunteers aged 16 and up can sort food, pack boxes, guide shoppers at market sites or pitch in at the farm.
Learn more: hungertaskforce.org/volunteer

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity works to expand affordable homeownership by building, repairing and restoring homes across the city. Volunteers can pitch in at construction sites, support customers and donations at ReStores or contribute behind the scenes through office tasks, committees and other non-building roles.
Learn more: milwaukeehabitat.org/volunteer

Schlitz Audubon

Schlitz Audubon in Milwaukee is a 185-acre nature sanctuary dedicated to conservation, environmental education and creating hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages. Volunteers can support habitat restoration, greet guests at the information desk, assist in the Nature Preschool, help lead hikes as Nature Ambassadors, care for education birds in the Raptor Program, or join maintenance-focused teams like the Ray Team and SPARK! facilitators.
Learn more: schlitzaudubon.org/get-involved/volunteer

Street Angels

Street Angels provides mobile outreach across Milwaukee County, meeting people experiencing unsheltered homelessness where they are with meals, supplies, basic needs support and pathways toward stability. Volunteers can pack and load hot meals, sort donations, prepare bag lunches, donate water, escort guests for showers or join nighttime outreach rides.
Learn more: streetangelsmke.org/volunteer

Wisconsin Humane Society

The Wisconsin Humane Society’s Milwaukee Campus provides shelter, adoption services and lifesaving care for thousands of animals in the area every year. As a volunteer, you can help with hands-on animal care, support adoption operations, assist at community events or take on behind-the-scenes roles that make the shelter’s work possible.
Learn more: wihumane.org/volunteer

Whether you volunteer for an hour or all season long, your time can make a real difference right here in Milwaukee.

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