Community Image

As we move through a financial stabilization period these next months, we remain encouraged that Mayo Clinic employees want to make a difference in their community.  It is in our nature and part of our values to do what we can to help those in need. But did you know that research shows that volunteering can benefit your health? Volunteering may reduce stress, define sense of purpose, strengthen relationships, and much more

In order to provide guidance and structure for our employees that choose to volunteer, we will collaborate with the Mayo Clinic Community Engagement Team. This team connects us with an ever-growing number of non-profit agencies who are in need at this time. We will update you over these future months regarding those available opportunities on this page or via the COVID-19: Learn and Stay Connected Facebook Group. Explore the links below for a direct connection with a local volunteer opportunity that interests you. We strive to be a conduit to seamless and meaningful experiences for all. 

As we progress through the pandemic, we ask that you take care of yourselves; follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We thank you for your interest in sharing your time and talent to the community. 

Rochester, Minnesota:

Volunteer (safely)

  • United We Fight – Coronavirus – United Way of Olmsted County outlines 5 ways you can help make a difference in someone’s life in the face of COVID-19.
  • Step up to sit is a program where they match older students who are home from school to babysit for families of essential workers.
  • Step up to SHOP helps connect individuals willing to shop and deliver groceries and supplies with those who need to remain in isolation for their health.
  • Channel One Regional Food Bank is looking for additional volunteers to pack emergency food boxes and to help fill the gaps they are seeing as many of its current volunteers fall in the at-risk or vulnerable populations category.
  • Salvation Army will continue their most important programs – food, emergency assistance, and housing.
  • Family Service Rochester continues to work with a variety of health and human services organizations in the community including Channel One and Meals on Wheels to readily meet the ever-needing changes in the community.
  • Bolder Options - Make a difference in a young life as a Bolder Options mentor. Introduce your mentee to a healthy lifestyle through physical activities.

SE MN:

Volunteer (safely)

SWMN:

Volunteer (safely)

NWWI:

Volunteer (safely)

  • American Red Cross of WI, Northwest Chapter : Healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to donate blood products. The American Red Cross is also looking for locations to hold donation drives and volunteers to assist at donation sites.
  • Volunteer Match: website allows users to enter the county and category in which they are interested in volunteering.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Wisconsin: By volunteering as a Big Brother or Big Sister you have the opportunity to impact the life of a child for the better.
  • Memory Bear Sewing Project: Moments Hospice is looking for volunteers to sew Memory Bears to be given to family members how have lost love ones.
  • United Way of Chippewa Valley Volunteer Guide 2020 : In an effort to help drive volunteerism, United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley produces an annual volunteer guide. This volunteer guide helps residents find volunteer opportunities that are a good fit for themselves, their families or groups. Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls Counties
  • Western Dairyland :  The agency's mission is to alleviate poverty-related conditions and provide opportunities which enable people to advance economically and socially. Many volunteer opportunists in Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, and Trempealeau Counties
  • Feed My People Food Bank:  Individuals and groups of all abilities and ages welcomed to volunteer at the food bank.  Eau Claire County
  • Stepping Stones of Dunn County : Food pantry, shelter and community connections program helps connect volunteers to organizations. Dunn County
  • Bloomer/ New Auburn Food Pantry : Volunteer to assist with organizing and distributing food. Chippewa County
  • St. Vincent de Paul Pantry & Kitchen: Volunteer opportunities in the Kitchen/Pantry site and at their thrift store.  Barron County
  • Benjamins House: Provides shelter, food, support services and an avenue to self-sufficiency for the homeless and people in need, looking for volunteers to help out by making a meal, helping with projects around the shelter, cleaning or volunteer at an event. Barron County
  • Trempealeau County Food Pantry: Food pantry volunteer opportunities. Trempealeau County
  • Community Volunteering, Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church works with community organizations to find volunteers in the Osseo, WI community.

SWWI:

Volunteer (safely)

  • Hunger Task Force – Community Garden and Warehouse 
    • The Kane Street Community Garden relies on volunteers to be successful. They are in desperate need of volunteers to help harvest produce for distribution to families in need.  Multiple shifts available. Call: 608-793-1002 or email garden@lacrossehtf.org to get signed up. 
    • Warehouse Helpers - Need volunteers to help with general warehouse projects.  This includes sorting donations, binning items, checking in donations and much more! Call: 608-793-1002 or email office@lacrossehtf.org to get signed up. 
  • Mobile Meals of La Crosse – Volunteer drivers are greatly needed to help deliver meals to clients.  Contact Mike at lacrossemobilemeals@gmail.com  for more information and to sign up. 
  • UGetConnected site has a La Crosse-Area COVID-19 Needs volunteer module.  Current needs include blood drive volunteers, serving meals, and food delivery.  More opportunities are expected to be listed as organizations evaluate their needs so watch the board for updates.  
  • Salvation Army - Has multiple volunteer opportunities such as: helping to prepare and serve food, working in the food pantry, office support and drivers/loaders.  To learn more visit: centralusa.salvationarmy.org/lacrosse/volunteer/ 
  • Catholic Charities La Crosse location - Front Desk Volunteers needed. Morning and afternoon shifts available.  Volunteers answer phone calls and assist people with accessing services.  If you have a desire to serve those in our community who are most in need, please consider donating your time.  Contact James Horman at (608) 518-5676 or jhorman@cclse.org for more information.   

Florida:

Volunteer (safely)

  • United We Fight –The United Way connects people, resources and ideas to better the health, education and financial stability of people in Northeast Florida — all of these are facets of life challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic:  COVID-19 Volunteer Response Needs
  • FLORIDA Mayo Employee Dependent Care Match is a way to help staff and students directly affiliated with Mayo Clinic to find alternative options to meet their child care needs during the COVID 19 outbreak.
  • Nextdoor – “Local hub to connect and share with your neighborhood.” Nextdoor just released two new features to help you better connect during COVID-19: 
    • Help Map – allows those that need assistance to identify which neighbors have offered their assistance (i.e. run an errand for those neighbors that are high-risk or even as simple as a phone call to check in
    • Nextdoor Groups – neighbors that come together to provide assistance to those that need it during challenging times
  • Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) – COVID-19 Virtual Food Drive to help Jacksonville Beaches Community
  • Feeding Northeast Florida Food Bank – donation and volunteer efforts
  • Salvation Army will continue their most important programs, higher need for volunteers as this time:  Contact Meagan Keith if interested in volunteer opportunities
  • American Red Cross – Focusing at a national disaster response. There is a huge need for blood donations at this time:

Arizona:

Our world is so different today than it was just a week ago.  We are learning to do things very differently, very quickly.  During these changing times, we can connect and share new learning insights from our ever-evolving world.  We encourage you to join the Workforce Learning Community (passcode: MayoLearner) to grow, maintain well-being, and foster a strong sense of community.  Share your thoughts and learn with colleagues!