Family Promise of the Great Rivers is a homeless shelter serving families with children under 18 years old located in Sparta, Wisconsin. Family Promise is looking for volunteers for various roles within their organization.

To learn more about Family Promise of the Great Rivers join them for an Open House on November 20, 2025.

Types of Volunteers Needed:

Board Members

Dinner Volunteers: Work in pairs and be responsible for bringing a meal for volunteers and families staying at the shelter in the evenings.

Driver Volunteers/Movers: Transport families to and from the Day Center, work, school or appointments with the Family Promise van. Movers use the Family Promise van and trailer to assist with transport of donated items and families’ belongings.

Event Volunteers: Serving at various events throughout the year.

Day Center Volunteers: Help clean and organize for a few hours each week. Those with special skills to run workshops for families such as budgeting, cooking, self-care, vehicle upkeep, or other life skills.

Family Promise of the Great Rivers

Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift‍-‍filled shoeboxes.

Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God’s immense love for the child. For many, it is their first gift ever! Delivered by our local church partners, shoebox gifts provide an opportunity to present the Gospel to boys and girls in a clear, child-friendly way.

LEARN HOW TO BUILD A SHOEBOX HERE!

FIND DONATION DROP OFF LOCATIONS HERE

Your gently used household items can support a neighbor in need with the essentials necessary to turn a place into a home.

We are thrilled to be a collection site for this year’s COATS FOR KIDS!!

We will be collecting new and gently used winter coats, snow pants, mittens, hats, snow boots, and scarfs. Please bring your donations to our studio in Sparta (2409 S. Black River St.), before October 27th. Our offices are open Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4pm; and Friday 8:30am-3:00pm.

Thank you for blessing the children!!

Financial contributions to purchase outdoor winter apparel items are also needed. Charitable contribution receipts for tax purposes are available if donations are sent to Coats for Kids, PO Box 802, Tomah WI 54660, or if they are brought in person to Lighthouse Assembly of God, 762 West Clifton, Tomah.

Distribution of winter gear will be at Lighthouse Assembly of God, 762 W. Clifton Street in Tomah, and is scheduled for Friday, October 31st from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday, November 1st from 10:00 AM to 12 noon. Distribution will be on a first come basis. NO appointment necessary.

A limit of one of each different type of outdoor winter apparel item per person in attendance is in effect. No items will be available prior to distribution start.

As warm weather approaches the needs shift for the families that they serve. Consider donating some much needed items:

Bug Spray, Sunscreen, Toilet Paper, Glass Cleaner, Paper Towels

You can also visit their Amazon wish list at: Family Promise of the Great Rivers

Thank you for your support!!

April’s Food of the Month is Cereal. Help the Hunger Task Force collect 360 boxes before the end of April. Will you be a Food Bank Hero and donate a box of cereal today?

Donations can be brought to 1240 Clinton St in La Crosse, M-F 8am to 3pm

Volunteers Needed for Spanish Speaking Inmates

We are in need of a volunteer(s) for our Spanish Speaking inmates at Stanley Correctional Institution. We have a growing group of men, some with limited English proficiency. We are looking for people who have a heart to share the gospel message through Bible Study, Pastoral Visits, or Services for this population. Schedules are flexible to the volunteers availability.

For more information please email: amber.purdun@wisconsin.gov or Cheryl.Webster@wisconsin.gov

You can MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Shop this Amazon wish list for Adult and Teen Challenge. Click Here

• Coffee (pre-ground or whole bean)
• Individually wrapped snacks/treats
• Art and Craft supplies
• Tampons/pads
• Journals
• Notebooks/ loose leaf paper
• Pens/ Pencils/ Highlighters
• Batteries
• NLT Recovery Bibles
• Coffee shop/ fast food gift cards (to bless our clients)
• Toilet paper
• Stamps
• Copy paper
• 55 gallon garbage bags
• Gallon freezer ziplock bags
• Picnic Tables
• Patio Furniture
• Small Ice machine
• 2 Laptops
• iPad

These items go directly to the residents to use and are shipped directly to the center when using the link above. Thank you for helping change lives!

Volunteers Needed in Illinois

We praise God that millions of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts are currently being packed all across the country! After National Collection Week, Nov. 15-22, they will be sent to eight U.S. processing centers for inspection before being shipped around the world to children in need.

This mammoth task requires thousands of volunteers in late November and December. Will you be one of them? There is an urgent need for more volunteers at Operation Christmas Child’s Aurora, Illinois location. You can come individually or bring a busload from your church or community. Either way, you’ll play an integral role in bringing great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to millions of boys and girls!

Aurora Processing Center
800 N. Commerce Street
Aurora, IL 60504

Volunteering is great fun, but the Operation Christmas Child team takes your health and safety seriously. All local COVID-19 guidelines are followed at each processing location.

Don’t delay. Volunteer today