I am making a patcher myself, learning as I go pretty much. I am no where near skilled enough to be of any help to the ones who are making theirs.
My way of helping is helping people who can't, do what I can.
So you say, in your case, that'd be visuals. Why not lend a hand to that guy trying to edit the visuals in the wine making game?
Make an interface for us all that looks epic?
If you can't help the big shots, help the small people, one less thing the mods have to worry themselves over, take a look around, lots of crap happening, skitty's just banned some guy, I just sort of started a fight (yes, I know, I'm not a mod, but it makes my point)