The following article was written by Therese Horstekker, the Volunteer Coordinator for the Manitowoc Public Library.
It’s that time of year again! Kids are back to school, summer is winding down, and you are looking forward to some down time. Maybe kick back, read a book, have lunch with friends,
and, of course, take on some of those necessary things we have to do around the house. When you get your list together—I’m assuming most people are like me and love to make lists—and cross things off as they’re done, you may find you have just one shining hour of free time in your week. There are many meaningful things you could choose to do with it.
But first, picture groups of people all cheering for you to come to their organizations and help them out in any way you can, for as much time as you can. You can be a volunteer! That free hour could mean so much to so many people!
And we have the time and place for you to get started on your path to being a volunteer!
Manitowoc Public Library is hosting our annual Volunteer Fair on Thursday, September 15, from 11 AM-2 PM. Anyone looking to volunteer is encouraged—really, REALLY encouraged—to stop in and check out the possibilities in our area to help groups in need of bodies and personalities to support their programs. Just come through our doors, head upstairs to our Balkansky Community Room, and maybe find a great fit that will help others. There’s a good chance it’ll give you a great feeling of being a part of something both new and exciting, and worthwhile of your free time.
The Volunteer Fair is open to all groups and organizations that utilize volunteer help. All that is needed is for you to notify me that you would like to join us. We will have a table waiting for you to fill with information about your organization. You should also be ready to talk to possible volunteers that may walk into the Balkansky that day.
At Manitowoc Public Library, general volunteers do so many helpful things. They sort donations, work together on projects (like our huge Used Book Sales), and clean many areas of the library.
Volunteers that do general projects include all ages and many are students that need to satisfy a graduation requirement by volunteering a set amount of hours at local non-profits. We have quite a good number of students every year, coming and going, as one completes their time and another is looking to start their hours.
Therese Horstketter
We also have folks that have retired and want to give some of that newly found time to an organization that will gladly accept their help. Most people like to stop in weekly, but depending on their project, they may come in more or less often. I work with my general volunteers to figure out a best schedule for them.
Manitowoc Public Library has one specific need for which it is seeking adult volunteers. Our One-to-One Adult Literacy program is looking for tutors, who, after finishing their training, work with an assigned learner to help them with their English-language skills. We will be offering a free new tutor training on Wednesday, September 14. If you are interested in learning more about this training, you can contact our Literacy Coordinator directly at 920-686-3026.
One final reminder: MPL’s 2022 Volunteer Fair takes place on Thursday September 15, from 11 AM-2 PM.
Groups/organizations, if you’d like to have a presence at the Volunteer Fair, please contact Therese at thorstketter@manitowoc.org or call her 920-686-3044.
You may find you have talents you weren’t even aware of when you open yourself up to helping a new group of people who are greatly in need of your help!
We hope to see you there!
