COTS men’s transitional shelter has a bumper crop of veggies every year, thanks to our hoop house (greenhouse) built by staff, volunteers, and residents in 2011! Residents and staff work together cooperatively to maintain our hoop house each growing season. It produces fresh, organic, nutritious… Read More
As Virginia Woolf said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” This month residents shared the kitchen with volunteers and longtime friends of COTS Lynn Van Zeeland & Mary Harp-Jirschele, during our Turkey Cook Off. This event engaged… Read More
Volunteer teaches residents how to make easy, delicious meals The group peers into the cupboard, almost overwhelmed by the possibilities. “OK, what do we want to make today?” says Sarah, COTS volunteer. Voices chime in with different ideas and preferences, and they ultimately decide to… Read More
Like the numerous others who volunteer through our Meal Ministry Program, YOU can make a difference by providing heartwarming meals to our residents! Every Monday and Wednesday evening of the year, our Meal Ministers take turns providing the individuals living at COTS with the basic… Read More
Cooking class of COTS reveals inner strength of residents “I’d been wanting to do volunteering, but I didn’t know what to do,” explains Mary Kay Maigatter, COTS volunteer. She knew that she wanted to do something hands-on, but didn’t know where to start. At a… Read More
Pierce Manufacturing team teaches residents how to be effective job seekers Hands shot up around the room as eager residents asked questions about job seeking that they had always wondered about. Throughout August and October, volunteers from the marketing department at Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh… Read More
Written by Amelia Bemis I grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin and came to Appleton to attend Lawrence University in 2012. I started out as a music major, but realized that I didn’t want to pursue music as a career. After that, I ended up taking a few… Read More
For the last several years, COTS has benefited from Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University virtual course. Dave Ramsey is an expert in the field and offers wonderful guidance and advice. One thing that was lacking, however, was the ability to interact with him or someone like him. Now,… Read More
“I always get more than I give in these [volunteer] situations,” states Mary Lou McCord, an enthusiastic volunteer at COTS. Mary Lou spent a good portion of her adult life working as a social worker for the Department of Corrections. Before bringing her vast wealth of… Read More
Sarah O’Hearn first learned about COTS’ Meal Ministry program when she was looking for Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities for her and her husband. She found the opportunity on our website and knew she had found her calling. “I love it!” she exclaims. “For me, it’s perfect… Read More