Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

Help seniors stay connected to the healthcare, services, and independence they deserve. As a Transportation Dispatch Assistant, you'll support our transportation program by helping to schedule rides in our computer system for older adults throughout our community.

Volunteers assist with answering phones, scheduling appointments, confirming ride requests, communicating with drivers, and providing friendly customer service to seniors and caregivers. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, basic computer knowledge, and a compassionate attitude are helpful. Training is provided.

This volunteer opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys problem-solving, staying organized, and making a meaningful difference behind the scenes.

Your support helps ensure seniors can safely access medical appointments, grocery stores, senior meal sites, and other essential destinations.

Time Commitment: Flexible weekday shifts available (typically 2–4 hours). We work with your schedule.

Training Provided: Yes.

Impact: Every ride you help coordinate supports a senior's independence, reduces isolation, and provides access to the services they need to live healthy, connected lives.

Become a Volunteer Driver — Every Ride Has a Story!

When Mary lost her husband, she also lost her only ride to her doctor’s appointments. That is, until Tom volunteered to drive her. Now, every other Tuesday morning, they chat about family, gardening, and the latest local news on the way to her cancer treatments. For Mary, it’s more than transportation—it’s friendship and independence. For Tom, it’s the best part of his week.

Our Volunteer Driver Program depends on caring individuals like Tom. Volunteer drivers provide non-emergency rides for seniors and adults with disabilities—helping them get to medical appointments and back home safely. Each trip helps someone stay healthy, connected, and independent.

Each ride is more than just a trip; it’s a lifeline that helps clients stay connected to their doctors, their community, and their independence.

Volunteers choose how often they drive—once a week, once a month, or on call—and assignments are typically just part of a day (morning or afternoon). We work with your schedule and offer a mileage stipend. Some trips are shorter in Ashland County, others are longer - to Duluth or Ironwood.

Volunteer drivers use their own reliable vehicle and must maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance on file with our agency. If you have a reliable car and a few hours to spare, you can make a real difference—one ride, one smile, one story at a time.

Join our cause, be that difference, and make a new connection. Call us today for more information - 715-682-4414 ext 0.

For many homebound older adults, a beloved dog or cat is more than a pet — they are family. Companionship, laughter, routine, and unconditional love help fight loneliness and support emotional and mental well-being.

However, keeping a pet healthy can be challenging for seniors who struggle with driving, carrying food, or physically managing the tasks associated with pet care.

That’s where YOU come in.

Deliver More Than a Meal – Deliver Peace of Mind

Every weekday, Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers travel the roads of Ashland County—through Ashland, Sanborn, Mellen, Glidden, and Butternut—bringing hot and cold meals to seniors who are homebound. But the delivery is about so much more than food.

Take Jim, for example—a volunteer who delivers in Ashland. Every Wednesday, he knocks on Mrs. Anderson’s door with her favorite chicken dinner and a big smile. She always greets him with a story from her younger days, and before he leaves, she gives him a cookie and thanks him “for bringing more than just lunch—you make my day brighter.” For Mrs. Anderson, that visit reminds her she’s not alone. For Jim, it’s the best part of his week.

Meals on Wheels drivers are the lifeline and vital part of the team.

Meals on Wheels drivers not only ensure meals are delivered safely and on time—they also provide a friendly check-in that offers comfort to seniors and reassurance to their families. Knowing someone caring is stopping by each day brings tremendous peace of mind to loved ones.

Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles and donate their time, but the reward is priceless: the smiles, the gratitude, and the knowledge that you’ve made someone’s day a little brighter.

If you’d like to deliver more than a meal—deliver kindness and connection—join us in our mission and call today for more information at 715-682-4414 ext. 0.

At Ashland Aging, our Senior Dining Program is about so much more than a meal. It’s about friendship, laughter, connection, and ensuring older adults have welcoming places to gather and feel part of their community.

We are currently looking for substitute site leaders to help support our dining locations at:

These sites have become vibrant gathering places where seniors enjoy nutritious meals, conversation, activities, and meaningful social connections.

Substitute site leaders help create a warm and welcoming environment by:

Your presence can make someone’s day brighter and help combat social isolation in our rural communities.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, values community service, and wants flexible volunteer involvement. Substitute volunteers fill in as needed and are greatly appreciated by both staff and participants.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of those we serve:

No special experience is needed — just compassion, patience, and a willingness to help create welcoming spaces for local seniors.

Whether you can help occasionally or more regularly, your time and kindness make a lasting difference. Together, we can continue building places where seniors feel valued, connected, and cared for.

Share Your Passion – Inspire Healthy Aging!

At Ashland Aging, we believe staying healthy is about more than doctor visits—it’s about connection, learning, and joy. We offer a variety of evidence-based workshops and programs designed to help older adults and caregivers live vibrant, independent lives.

When LeAnn attended her first healthy aging workshop, she was nervous. Living alone after her husband’s passing, she’d stopped going out much. But after meeting Carrie, a volunteer leader who taught a “Living Well with Chronic Conditions” class, she began to smile again. Her warmth and encouragement reminded her that she still had goals to reach—and friends to make. Now, LeAnn never misses a session, and she’s even thinking about becoming a volunteer leader herself.

Stories like LeAnn's are why we do what we do—and why we need caring, motivated people like you.

Our program leaders are volunteers who bring passion, experience, and heart to every class. If you have a background in working with older adults, caregivers, or individuals managing chronic health conditions, or if you're new to working with seniors, we’d love to have you join our team. All leaders complete virtual training through the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, and we cover all training and supply costs.

While a background check is required, the true reward is priceless—seeing a senior’s confidence grow, hearing their laughter return, and knowing you’ve made a lasting difference.

Join us in our mission to help seniors in our community remain healthy and vibrant.

Call today at 715-682-4414 ext. 4 to learn more.

At Ashland Aging, our Meals on Wheels program delivers more than nutritious meals — it delivers connection, safety, and reassurance to seniors throughout our communities.

Right now, we are in need of additional volunteer drivers for various weekdays to help ensure older adults receive the meals and friendly visits they depend on.

For many seniors, the volunteer delivering their meal may be the only person they see that day. A warm smile, a quick check-in, and a reliable delivery can make an incredible difference in someone’s health, independence, and quality of life.

As a Meals on Wheels driver, you will:

Many routes take only a short time, but the impact lasts far beyond the delivery.

We are currently looking for volunteers for various weekdays, and we work to match schedules and routes that fit your availability.

To ensure the safety of our participants:

No special experience is needed — just a caring heart and a willingness to help your neighbors.

Whether you can help once a week, once a month, or more, your time matters. Together, we can continue making sure seniors throughout Ashland and Bayfield Counties receive the meals, connection, and support they deserve.

Be the friendly face that welcomes visitors to Ashland Aging! As a Front Desk Assistant, you'll help create a warm, inviting environment for seniors, caregivers, volunteers, and community members.

Volunteers greet visitors, answer and direct phone calls, assist with basic office tasks, organize materials, and provide general support to staff as needed. A welcoming attitude, good communication skills, and a willingness to help are all that's required—we'll provide any necessary training. Confidentiality is a must.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys meeting people, staying organized, and making a positive impact through small acts of kindness. Your time helps ensure that everyone who contacts Ashland Aging feels valued, supported, and connected to the resources they need. 

Time Commitment: Flexible shifts on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays (typically 2–4 hours). We work with your schedule.

Training Provided: Yes.

Impact: Your friendly smile and helpful presence make a meaningful difference by helping seniors and their families feel comfortable, welcomed, and cared for from the moment they walk through our doors or call for assistance