Volunteer Staff at Wisconsin Public Television

VOLUNTEER | MEET THE STAFF

Fun facts about the volunteer program

Did you know that 1,913 people volunteered at Wisconsin Public Television last year? That is almost comparable to the entire population of Weyauwega, Wis.!
WPT volunteers donate more than 14,000 hours to the station annually. When converted to real-time dollars, volunteers donated $302,454 to the station.
In 2010-2011, 85 groups from companies, campus organizations, high school groups, and professional and social clubs volunteered at WPT's membership drives and Auction.
Volunteering is open to all ages! Last year, children as young as 8 and adults up to age 80 supported WPT through their gift of time.

Ericka Balgord, Volunteer Manager

Ericka joined Wisconsin Public Television in August 2008. Ericka is in charge of recruiting almost 2,000 volunteers a year for WPT's membership drives, Garden Expo, Quilt Expo and Auction. She oversees recognition events such as the summer picnic and smaller thank you events. Ericka also works with current volunteers to guide them into supervisory volunteer positions at the station.

Ericka is a graduate of Edgewood College and holds a Master's degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield. In her free time, she is an accompanist for a church choir, loves to travel, and enjoys biking and curling.

Bethany Schumacher,
Assistant Volunteer Manager

Bethany started in the volunteer office in May 2011. She provides administrative support for Wisconsin Public Television's volunteer events. Bethany is currently studying Non-Profit and Community Leadership and French at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. After graduating with her bachelor degrees, she hopes to volunteer with Peace Corps and AmeriCorps before continuing her education. Beyond her academic aspirations, Bethany enjoys an eclectic assortment of interests including motorcycling, ballroom dance, science fiction, travel, and literature. In addition, Bethany is also currently working with WPT as an intern with PBS Kids.

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