The Wausau Buyers’ Guide accepts info. for non-profit organizations to be printed free in our “Community Services.” Listings edited at the discretion of the Publisher. Please check with event coordinators for possible date, time or location changes. Send to: Wausau Buyers’ Guide, Attn.: Community Needs & Services, 807 E. First St., Merrill, WI 54452. Or email to [email protected]

Meetings
•The Daytime Fibromyalgia Support Group will be touring Hsu’s Ginseng manufacturing and retail facility and ginseng garden on Thursday, May 11. Meet at 1:30 p.m. at Patina Coffee House, 610 Washington St., Wausau, to carpool. For further directions or more information, call 715-302-3851. The Fibromyalgia Support Group provides support, education, information and fellowship to those suffering from fibromyalgia.

•Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group- Fourth Tuesday of each month, 2-3:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 607 13th St., Mosinee. These monthly support group meetings are open to all area families and caregivers. There is no charge to attend. For more information, please contact Rose Boron at 715-212-1548 or contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 1-800-272-3900.

•Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, Legal & Financial Planning- May 18, 10–11:30 a.m., Rasmussen College, 1101 Westwood Dr., Wausau. This program facilitates discussion about convincing a family member to see a physician for cognitive screening or medical care, deciding when to stop driving and legal and financial plans for future care needs. All programs are free-of-charge and open to families, caregivers and the general community. Each program is presented by an Alzheimer’s Association staff member or trained community volunteer. Call 1-800-272-3900 to register. More information can be found at www.alz.org/gwwi.

•Effective Communication Strategies- May 22, 2:30–4 p.m., North Central Health Care, 1100 Lake View Dr., Wausau. This program helps families facing Alzheimer’s explore effective communication strategies and learn how to decode messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. All programs are free-of-charge and open to families, caregivers and the general community. Each program is presented by an Alzheimer’s Association staff member or trained community volunteer. Call 1-800-272-3900 to register. More information can be found at www.alz.org/gwwi.

•Grief Support Group- First Thursday of each month, 1:30-3 p.m., Ministry Home Care, 2600 Stewart Ave., Suite 160, Wausau. These gatherings provide a caring community for learning about grief, finding support, sharing memories, and identifying feelings. There is no fee to attend, no pre-registration is required and all adults are welcome. For more information on this and other grief support opportunities, please contact Jill VanderLoop, Ministry Home Care-Hospice Services, 800-398-1297.

•Wisconsin Valley Auxiliary Shriners – Second Friday of each month from September through May, 11:30 a.m., Palm’s Supper Club, Weston. Through giving of knitting, crocheting, monetary gifts and purchasing toys, the organization supports the General Auxiliary at the Shriners hospital in the Twin Cities, MN. Interested women are invited to join and be acquainted with the wonderful benefit of giving. Information: Barbara, 715-842-8463.

•Loss of Spouse Support Group- Thursdays, April 13–May 18, 2–4 p.m., Ministry Home Care, 2600 Stewart Ave., Suite 160, Wausau. Death ends a life, but not a relationship. Participants in the Loss of Spouse Support Group (L.O.S.S.) realize that while life has changed dramatically, the survivor can still live a life with contentment. To pre-register, call 800-398-1297.

•DivorceCare Group- Monday evenings, 6-8 p.m., Highland Community Church, 1005 N. 28th Ave., Wausau. For more information, call 715-297-4012.

•Wool Inspirations- Third Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Good Will Community Room, Rib Mountain. Anyone interested in the hobby/craft of hooking rugs with wool, is invited to attend, free, casual, no protocol. Come and join our craft. Info: 715-675-7732 or email [email protected].

•MS Support Group- Second Tuesday of each month, 9:30-11:30 a.m., NTC Center for Business and Industry, Room CBI 103, 1000 Campus Dr., Wausau. For more information, call 715-359-2022.

•AARP Chapter 272 meeting- Third Mondays of the month, 1:30 p.m., Wausau Downtown Airport, 725 Woods Place, Wausau. The chapter meets eight months a year, March to June and August to November. Meetings last about an hour with a quick social afterwards. For more information, call Steve Chow at 715-355-4918.

•Overeaters Anonymous- Sundays 6 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church 504 Grant St., Wausau. Info 715-842-3697 or www.OA.org.

•Gamblers Anonymous- Open meeting Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m.; closed meetings Fridays and Sundays 7-8 p.m. in the Terrace Room at Mount View Care Center, 2400 Marshall St., Wausau. For more information call 715-297-5317.

•Alcoholics Anonymous- Mondays, 7:30 a.m. and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. in the library at Mosinee United Methodist Church, 607 13th St., Mosinee. For more information contact the church office at 715-693-2125.

•’Friends’ Helke Funeral Home Support Group- After the loss of someone special, friendship can be very important. Join us for a time to visit followed by unique tours around Wausau. We meet generally the second Tuesday, 9 a.m., at Hardee’s on Stewart Ave. Check our website, Facebook page or call Lisa at Helke’s for more information, 715-842-3993.

•Givers Gain Team Wausau BNI (Business Networking International)- Every Wed. 7:30-9am, 2510 Restaurant, Wausau. Businesses looking to grow are encouraged & welcome to attend. 715-212-6305

•Free chair exercise classes- Every Tues. & Thurs., 9-9:45am, Mosinee United Methodist Church, 607 13th St., Mosinee. Classes focus on stretching & flexibility, open to all adults at no cost. Info: contact the church office at 715-693-2125

•Veterans Weekly Cup-of-Coffee- Every Wed. from 10-11:30 a.m., Denny’s, 1500 Hwy. XX, Rothschild. No agenda. No questions. No affiliations. Just veterans, any age or era. Just grab a cup of Joe, a steady chair and say hello. For more information, call 715-359-6145

In-Kind Donated Items Needed
•Clothes for People in Transition. Men’s socks, underwear and t-shirts (small/medium) and jeans are needed by those making the transition out of jail or prison. Help them meet their basic needs. Contact Anne at 715-848-4044 or [email protected].

•Soap & Suds. High Efficiency Laundry Detergent for shelter residents at The Women’s Community helps give the gift of clean clothes to those transitioning out of abuse. Contact Jessica at 715-842-5663 or [email protected] drop off M-F between 8am and 4pm.

•Single-sized Kid Foods. Mac & Cheese, Fruit Cups, Cereal & Ravioli helps Blessings in A Backpack provide food for children in need in the summer. Contact Jeff at 715-359-3701 ext. 5556 or [email protected].

United Way Volunteer Opportunities
•HELP Closet Drive and On-Going Assistance. The Good News Project is holding a medical equipment drive on Saturday May 13, 2017. Volunteer shifts are available from 8:30-12:15 pm, 12-3:45 pm, and 3-5 pm, as well as the following Monday morning. Join them for the event and/or consider on-going filing, inventory or customer service roles. Contact Bettina at 715-843-5985 or [email protected].

•Spring Clean Up! Bring beautification to the yards or homes of your elderly neighbors. Faith In Action can get you or a group of friends started with some light yardwork or housecleaning. Contact Kelly at 715-848-8783 or [email protected].

•Do you have a Green Thumb? Meet with people who have physical and other challenges, to do adaptive gardening at Monk Gardens. Guide the group members in using raised beds and special tools/methods. Contact Lynne at 715-573-1699 or [email protected].

•Unconditional Love of a Pet. Certified pets bring comfort to hospice residents. Ministry Home Care Hospice Services provide care to those in the Greater Wausau Area and throughout all of Marathon County. If you have a certified pet or want to learn more about the process, contact Susan at 715-343-3490 or [email protected].

•Be a Great Role Model. You can be a valuable mentor to a young person as a Big Brother or Big Sister. Individualized time & attention on a regular basis helps children manage everyday challenges that are part of growing up. Contact Beth at 715-848-7207 or [email protected].

Volunteer Connection and RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) are services that United Way uses to match volunteers or in-kind donated items with agencies in need. Visit www.UnitedWayMC.org or dial United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline for more information.