I was around 12 years old when I first started volunteering at a Humane Society in my home town. I would go in once a week for two hours and help clean, walk dogs and feed the animals. Along with me, there were about 10 other volunteers that made a small time commitment.
The Winona Warming Shelter is located right downtown, not far from campus. Photo by Kelsa Katzfey ’21
Better Together
Together, the difference we made in the shelter was astounding. This showed me that giving a helping hand to your community can make a huge difference in the lives of others.
Why You Should Volunteer
Whether it be something small or large, any contribution to your community is appreciated. Plus, volunteering doesn’t only benefit the people in your community, it’s a great opportunity for you too!
Volunteering is a great way to:
– Increase your confidence by stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new
– Learn new skills and how to work well with other people
– Meet new people and make connections
– And most importantly, have fun!
The Winona Warming Shelter
The Winona Warming Shelter is a great opportunity to get out into the community and make a difference!
With the temperatures quickly dropping here in Winona, the struggle for some local residents to stay warm may be more common than you think. Imagine having nowhere to go to get out of a cold Minnesota winter. This is a reality for some locals.
Fortunately, organizations like Winona Police Department, Winona County Community Services and Winona Health have partnered with the Winona Warming Shelter to ensure a temporary, safe overnight stay for those individuals.
The Warming Shelter provides:
– A safe and warm place to sleep
– Food, water and coffee
– Personal care items such as socks, toothbrushes, and blankets
– A clean bathroom with a warm shower
– Referral resources from other agencies in Winona County
How You Can Get Involved
Starting November 1st, the Winona Warming Shelter will be looking for individuals to volunteer November through March for one night per month. All WSU faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends are welcome.
If this opportunity is something that interests you, please come to the volunteer orientation on Monday, October 29th at Community Bible Church, 69 E 3rd St, Winona, MN. Orientation starts at 6:30pm and should last about 2 hours.
If you have any other questions about how to get involved with the Winona Warming Shelter, email Anne Vande Berg (AVandeBerg@winona.edu) or Larry Shrenk (LSchrenk@winona.edu).
