Volunteers can make a big difference in their communities and beyond.

For those seeking a volunteer opportunity in the local area, there’s a new platform administered by the United Way of Marquette County: Yoopers United.

It’s an online platform that allows nonprofits and other agencies in Marquette County to post their volunteer opportunities, special events and corporate engagement activities online to connect with potential volunteers.

“Our goal for this website is twofold: to provide our community with an easier way to volunteer, and to give our partners a chance to share the platform’s benefits of volunteer management, tracking, and reporting,” Andrew Rickauer, executive director for United Way of Marquette County, said in a news release about the new platform.

Those seeking volunteer positions can find projects based on their interests and availability on the site or view current needs posted by nonprofits on the website. Local organizations can even give back as a company through Business United Volunteer Projects.

A few opportunities currently listed online include serving meals at Room at the Inn, home repairs with Habitat for Humanity, fundraising for Cancer Care of Marquette County and helping with a pickleball tournament for Superiorland Kiwanis.

“The volunteer center of United Way, Yoopers United, makes it easy to get involved in meaningful volunteer opportunities with local nonprofit organizations and schools,” the Yoopers United web page states. “With dozens of opportunities made available each month, it’s easy to connect with a cause that fits your interests and schedule. These volunteer hours support projects at fellow nonprofit organizations and during events for community partners doing integral work within Marquette County.”

The website even has a special section dedicated to volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic that encourages users to “help support urgent community needs created by the coronavirus outbreak” while honoring public health recommendations, taking on solo or online volunteering opportunities and staying home when sick.

We encourage area residents to give back to the community through volunteering with a local nonprofit if they are able to do so and we commend the United Way for creating an online platform that fosters connections among area residents and nonprofits.

Users can go to https://www.uwmqt.org/volunteer/ to learn more about the platform and respond to volunteer opportunities. For more information about Yoopers United, contact Rickauer at 906-226-8171.