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PBS Wisconsin volunteers are the heart of public media. Whether you’re answering phones during a membership drive, welcoming guests at an expo, or sharing your unique talents—you help bring Wisconsin stories to life.
Join our volunteer community
Looking for a fun and meaningful way to give back? Our volunteers keep the “public” in public media—supporting membership drives, community events, and outreach that connects Wisconsinites to the programs they love.
PBS Wisconsin Volunteers are the most dedicated, and most organized group of volunteers I have ever worked with at any event here in the 16 years I’ve worked here. They are the most “professional” group of volunteers I’ve ever seen.
Janet KnoellerEvent Operations Supervisor
Events & Membership Drives
Membership Drives
Great Wisconsin Quilt Show
Garden & Green Living Expo
Other Ways To Volunteer
Share your feedback
Share your thoughts on new games, websites, and other interactive experiences. Your feedback from focus groups and usability studies strengthens the quality of our work and addresses our audience’s evolving needs. Participants will receive a thank-you gift.
Need some help?
Check out our Volunteer Participation Policies. Contact PBS Wisconsin’s volunteer office at (608) 265-4436 or email [email protected]
Volunteer of the Year
The V. Thomas Metcalfe Volunteer of the Year Award
The V. Thomas Metcalfe Volunteer of the Year Award is named in memory of community leader Tom Metcalfe, a friend of PBS Wisconsin. It honors a volunteer demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to the station.
At PBS Wisconsin, we pride ourselves on having one of the most active volunteer programs among PBS stations. This success is thanks, in large part, to the incredible leadership and long-term commitment of many generous volunteers.
This year, we are thrilled to honor David Hoffert as our 2025 PBS Wisconsin Volunteer of the Year!
For nearly 25 years, David has been an active and vital volunteer of the Membership Drive volunteer team, helping on the phone bank, coordinating volunteer shifts, and more recently, connecting with our viewers as an on-air personality. With energy, passion and a genuine connection to our mission, David has helped bring our message to life and inspire viewers to take action to become members and support PBS Wisconsin.
When asked why volunteering with PBS Wisconsin is important to him, David said, “I volunteer for PBS Wisconsin because now, more than ever, we need trusted sources that can expand our minds and foster empathy. I do it for my generation and also for my children’s generation. And volunteering for PBS Wisconsin is so accessible, because there are so many ways you can help. Over the years, I’ve done both behind-the-scenes work and out-front-and-center work. They have all brought me different kinds of joy, but all made a necessary impact on the PBS Wisconsin service that I cherish and need.”
From all of us at PBS Wisconsin, we want to express our deepest gratitude for his dedication and passion to our mission.
Thank you and congratulations to David Hoffert, our 2025 PBS Wisconsin Volunteer of the Year!
Past Recipients of Volunteer of the Year
2022 Karen Cigale
2020 Jason Campbell
2019 Mae Laatsch
2018 Mary Rondou
2017 Tom McVary
2016 Julie Brockman
2015 Brian Ruppert
2014 Sandy Rupnow
2013 Fran Schultz
2012 Sandra Levin
2011 Mark Schoenleber
2010 Andy Koch
2009 Bill Schloemer
2008 Stan Druckenmiller
2007 Ann Scott
2006 Alan Hackbarth
2005 LouJean Steenberg
2004 Gary Kimmerly
2003 Ingrid Lind-Jahn and Pete Jahn
2002 Janice and Michael Stone
2001 Cheryl Thompson
2000 Todd Liebergen
1999 Nancy and John O’Neill
1998 Janet Weidemann
1997 Ann Clark
1996 Shel Ellestad
1995 Kristine Wiese
1994 Sally Ann Miller
1993 John Schulist
1992 Jeannie Druckenmiller
1991 Linda Barker
1990 Rudy Fritz
1989 Grace Homb
1988 Rodney Pflaum
1987 Ann Campbell
1986 M J Combs
1985 Linda Berman
1984 Karen Godshall
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