Volunteer Opportunities in Otter Tail County
Make an impact on those around you by sharing your gifts.
Volunteer Today
Living a fulfilled life, ironically, is less about ourselves and more about what we can do for others. There are numerous organizations in our area that need the help of volunteers to carry out their mission. Consider volunteering your time and skills to a nonprofit that interests you and see what impact that has on your own outlook and wellbeing!
Introducing Helper Helper
We’re excited to bring this solution to our communities to mobilize volunteers and make scheduling easier for our organizations and for you as a volunteer. We think it will be a great solution and encourage volunteerism in our communities.
Check out the service report to see the impact that volunteers are having. Click the link below to join in the community-wide effort to impact our community through volunteering!
Check out all of the wonderful opportunities available right here in our communities.
Want to include your organization or your event in Helper Helper? Email connect@elevatetotc.org to get started.
Our Impact
Check out the Service Report to see how much our teams and volunteers have impacted our communities!
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
– Arthur Asche
Help Elevate Our Community
Van Driver
On an as needed basis.
What we do:
Provide rides to criticial medical appointments for homebound individuals.
What you can do:
Volunteer your time to provide transportation in our Elevate van.
Who to contact:
Call Katie at 218-347-1974 or email katie.murdock@perhamhealth.org
Connections Lunch Helper
Mondays – Thursdays | 10am-1pm
What we do:
Provide a daily meal and social time to seniors 60+ at Perham Area Community Center
What you can do:
Help us create a welcoming atmosphere by assisting with set-up, serving, and clean-up
Who to contact:
Blood Pressure Checkers
Wednesdays | 9-11am | Perham Area Community Center
What we do:
Promote health and wellness with free blood pressure checks open to the public
What you can do:
Utilize your past experience to provide a manual blood pressure check for individuals on select Wednesdays that you are available
Who to contact:
Memory Cafe
Held on the fourth Thursday of each Month.
What we do:
Welcome individuals living with memory loss and their care partners together for an afternoon of connection, conversation, activities, and support in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
What you can do:
Help create a comfortable and joyful experience by assisting with setup, welcoming participants, serving snacks, joining in activities, and offering friendly conversation and encouragement throughout the afternoon.
Who to contact:
Contact Katie at 218-347-1974 or katie.murdock@perhamhealth.org.
Elevating Voices Memory Loss Chorus
Held annually in the spring for 10 weeks.
What we do:
Gather individuals living with memory loss and their caregivers together for an afternoon of social time and singing in a warm, welcoming atmosphere
What you can do:
Assist in creating a joyful musical experience by helping set up, welcoming participants, and offering light guidance while singing along
Who to contact:
Cookie Committee
On an as needed basis.
What we do:
Bake homemade cookies and treats to bring a little extra comfort, joy, and sweetness to Elevate programs, events, and community gatherings.
What you can do:
Sign up to be part of the Cookie Committee and wait for occasional email requests for treats. When a need pops up, you can choose to bake and drop off fresh or frozen cookies to help spread a little homemade happiness.
Who to contact:
Contact Mindi at 218-347-1974 or mindi.larson@perhamhealth.org.
Lakes Area Home Tour
Held annually on the second Saturday in October.
What we do:
Help bring the Lakes Area Home Tour to life, Elevate’s annual fundraiser featuring a self-guided tour of 7 beautiful homes throughout the Perham lakes area.
What you can do:
Be part of the team behind the scenes by helping gather donations, hang flyers and posters, stuff envelopes, prepare materials for the tour, and assist on tour day at the homes. Whether you like organizing, decorating, driving around town, or greeting guests, there’s a role for you.
Who to contact:
Contact Katie at 218-347-1974 or katie.murdock@perhamhealth.org.
Help Address Food Insecurity
Bridge Pantry Volunteer
Located in Perham
What we do:
Provide a temporary food source locally in an environment of respect, caring, and optimism.
What you can do:
Help volunteer at the Bridge Pantry, Mobile Pantry, or with summer produce drops
Who to contact:
Call 218-346-6181 or thebridgepantry@arvig.net
Meals on Wheels Volunteer
Starts at Perham Living
What we do:
Deliver meals on weekdays to local seniors and disabled adults.
What you can do:
Help drive and deliver on a scheduled basis, often once a week for an hour.
Who to contact:
Call Karen at 218-347-1558
Backpack Food Program Volunteer
Located at Calvary Church in Perham
What we do:
Providing small bags of food for hungry students to take home, helping them get through the weekend.
What you can do:
Help pack or deliver individual bags of food for students. Volunteers help on a scheduled basis. Many volunteers help a couple of times a month, for about an hour each time.
Who to contact:
Click this link to join the team, or call Sue at 218-849-7966 or Mary at 218-298-2466
Frozen Meal Deliveries
Wednesday Deliveries
What we do:
Provide frozen meals to homebound individuals outside of the Meals By Wheels service area
What you can do:
Help us deliver meals to the households in your vehicle while you are already out and about
Who to contact:
Call Katie at 218-347-1974 or email katie.murdock@perhamhealth.org
Help Strengthen Your Community
Perham Health Greeter
What you can do:
Welcome and assist patients, their families, and visitors entering Perham Health in a positive way.
Who to contact:
Call Erika at 218-347-1303.
Fishermen’s Home FixIt Ministry Volunteer
What we do:
The FixIt Ministry is an outreach of the Fishermen Men’s Group. The ministry provides basic handyman services to individuals in need, and in the process, gives men the opportunity to serve and minister to others.
What you can do:
Join our group and be available to help assist others with handyman projects.
Who to contact:
Call Dave at 218-201-1413 or email davelydeen@gmail.com
Perham Area Public Library Volunteer
What you can do:
Opportunities include helping sort books, joining Friends of the Library, the monthly Book Club, and more.
Who to contact:
Perham Living Volunteering
What we do:
Create meaningful moments, connection, and joy for residents at Perham Living through a wide variety of volunteer opportunities big and small.
What you can do:
There are plenty of ways to get involved based on your interests and availability. Volunteers can help in the Gift Shop, assist with Art Class or Bingo, become a Trishaw Bike Pilot, support Music Therapy, deliver mail, help with household or large group activities, or simply spend time visiting with residents and being a friendly face. Sometimes the smallest conversations end up meaning the most.
How to sign up:
For more information, contact Madison at 218-347-1820 or sign up through Helper Helper.
History, Arts and Cultural Association of East Otter Tail County Volunteer
The History, Arts and Cultural Association of East Otter Tail County operates two museums (History Museum of East Otter Tail County and In Their Own Words veterans museum) and a seasonal festival grounds (Pioneer Village) all in Perham and all primarily volunteer run.
Volunteers are often involved in special projects based on their interest and background and generally dedicate three to four hours per week on a regular schedule. It’s a nice, easy going environment, and the coffee is usually on!
If you’d like someone to contact you with information about specific opportunities, please visit www.historymuseumeot.com and complete the interest form or call or stop in at:
History Museum of East Otter Tail County
230 1st Avenue North
218-346-7676
www.historymuseumeot.com
In The Own Words Veterans Museum
805 West Main
218-346-7678
www.historymuseumeot.com/itow_new
Perham Pioneer Village
218-346-7678
44290 Highway 8
www.facebook.com/PerhamPioneerVillage
AARP Volunteer Tax Preparer
The AARP Volunteer Tax Program will again assist taxpayers in preparing their returns. The AARP Volunteer Tax Program prepares taxes for senior citizens, and those with low to moderate income. This includes the Minnesota Property Tax refund.
However, this volunteer program does not exist without our wonderful volunteers. Would you like to assist at the Fergus Falls or Perham Tax preparation site? You can volunteer to be a facilitator, be a technical advisor, assist with administrative activities, or to prepare returns. If you enjoy helping others, please consider joining our team. We will provide all training necessary.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call the District Coordinator, Elizabeth Eidal at 406-781-5047.
Help Inspire Students
Boys & Girls Club Volunteer
What we do:
Enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
What you can do:
Assist with special programs or activities.
Who to contact:
Call 218-346-2526
Grand-Friends
Select Summer Dates
What we do:
Bring older adults and children together through Grand-Friends, an intergenerational program focused on building friendships, sharing stories, and creating meaningful moments across generations.
What you can do:
Spend time with children through simple activities like reading, crafts, games, conversation, and laughter. Volunteers help create a welcoming environment where both kids and adults can connect, learn from each other, and have fun together.
Who to contact:
Contact Amanda at 218-347-1974 or amanda.kaldor@perhamhealth.org.
Kids Holiday Market Elves
Select dates from September – December
What we do:
Bring holiday magic to life by providing an opportunity for kids to select gifts for their adult loved ones from new and gently used donations
What you can do:
Help us sort donations, assist kids as they shop for gifts, and wrap presents
Who to contact:
KINSHIP Mentor
What we do:
Kinship Partners is a nonprofit youth mentoring organization providing positive role models to youth in the Perham area since 1996.
What you can do:
Spend time one-on-one with local youth listening, guiding, and supporting them in making good choices.
How to get involved:
School Volunteer
Perham High School, Prairie Wind Middle School, & ALC
What you can do:
Volunteer opportunities at the schools change with the seasons and could possibly match your interests!
Who to contact:
Contact Jenny Lindstrom 346-6500, ext 6508 or jlindstrom@perham.k12.mn.us
Empowering Kids Volunteer
What we do:
An autism program providing affordable programming in our rural community.
What you can do:
Assist with special programs or activities.
Who to contact:
Contact info@empoweringkidsperham.org