• The following is a sampling of group projects opportunities - if you have a specific activity in mind that is not listed, chances are we can connect you to someone in need. New opportunities available weekly. To make your volunteer connection:

• Call (847) 228-1320 or Fax (847)228-1327 for more information.

• You may fill out a Volunteer Interest Form and we will contact you.

• Or e-mail us at: volunteer@volunteerinfo.net. Be sure to include your name, hometown and daytime phone number.

Updated June, 2008

1. An agency that provides learning, developmental and leisure services for children and adults with disabilities. Group homes for independent clients, bed facilities for special needs. A20

Special events:

• Guardian Casino Night, 3:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 13 in Palatine. (150)Volunteers, 18 years and older, needed to deal Blackjack/Poker, work game tables, bartend, serve food/drinks, sell pull tabs and raffle tickets

Current needs:

• Help with grounds work – cleaning, planting, etc
• Painting ( inside jobs)
• Cleaning windows
• Bingo Night (small groups only, Wednesdays 5 – 10p.m.)
• Renovating bathrooms, painting, papering, etc

2. An organization providing recreational and leisure services for children and adults with disabilities. A50

Special events:

• (10) Volunteers, 14 years and older, are needed to assist with the Motor Activities Training Program, 8 a.m. – 12 noon, Wednesday, July 9th in Schaumburg
• Special Olympics Softball Skills event, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 23 in Schaumburg. (50) Volunteers, 14 years & older, are needed to help with hospitality, set-up, clean-up, medical, field escorts and committee help
• Join the fun with the Special Olympics Golf Skills event at the Palatine Hills Golf Course, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday, July 28th. (20) Volunteers, 14 years & older, are needed to help with scorekeeping, hospitality/lunch, caddies & committee work
• Special Olympics Area Bowling Tournament, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Saturday, August 9 in Elk Grove Village. (60) Volunteers, 14 years & older, needed for 3 shifts of bowling, assist as lane hosts, hospitality, lunch, souvenirs, etc
• Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14th at Hersey High School. (100) Volunteers, 14 years & older, needed as line judges, scorekeeping, announcer, hospitality/lunch, & opening ceremonies

Current needs:

• Work directly with their special handicapped clients by helping with a large variety of programs throughout the year during days, evenings or weekends. These include, but are not limited to, sports and games, arts/crafts, special events, music and dance, general and outdoor recreation day camps and trips
• Cleaning of 15 vans, inside and outside. All supplies, buckets, rags, cleaning solution, etc will be supplied; all we need is man power. (25) Volunteers needed, weekdays only, call and arrange a date
• In need of clerical help with filing, organizing files, computer work, putting packets together, etc. (1 to 5)Volunteers, 16 years and older, needed, weekdays only between the hours of 8:30a.m. – 3 p.m.

3. An organization who works to provide safe, reliable and efficient blood services to Chicago land hospitals, patients and donors. A42

Current needs:

• Help with one-day blood drives held at area places of business or schools – greet and register donors, serve refreshments, watch for adverse reactions, etc

4. An organization that provides church homes for orphans and widows in third world countries. A84

Current needs:

• Conduct special drives for items on wish list, such as large beach towels, diaper wipes, white bed sheets, gym socks, disposable baby bottles (with plastic bag inserts), nipples, coloring books, crayons, deflated soccer, football or volleyballs, air pumps, hooded sweatshirts, underwear, school supplies, new washable plush toys (up to 8” tall), etc
• Be on call quarterly to stuff envelopes with their newsletter, label and seal the envelopes and run through the postage machine. Fun but important opportunity for (5 – 8) volunteers, 16 years and older

5. A local nature sanctuary and 1880's historic working farm with hiking trails and natural areas. Public programming to educate residents about Illinois natural history and the past and present relationships people have with the natural world. A66

Current needs:

• Conservation work 4th Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Workers will prune, clear and thin brush from wooded areas, grounds clean up & planting projects

6. A transitional living program for homeless women and their children, offering housing, food, counseling, and management skills to help them learn to live independently. A71

Current needs:

• Park Ridge home in need of cleaning the inside, kitchen, living room, etc. Yard work, such as, clean-up, plant flower bulbs, clean & organize the garage & pantry
• Schaumburg home in need of cleaning & organizing the garage & yard work, such as clean-up, plant flower bulbs
• Mt. Prospect residential site in need of cleaning the facility (inside & outside), children's playroom, & pantry. Yard work also needed, such as, clean-up, plant flower bulbs & cut grass. Painting project for the back porch, concrete floor & wood frame including purchasing of the paint
• Coordinate a collection drive for the program's residents, paper goods, cleaning supplies or non-perishable foods
• Planning & executing activities for children during the summer, 2008
• Cleaning, organizing, sorting & tagging at the resale shops in Palatine, Niles or Schaumburg. Maximum number of volunteers are 15 per site

7. An agency that is a community-based emergency & longer-term care & housing for children, birth through 17, who are abused, neglected or in need of supervision. A63

Current needs:

• Conduct special drives for any items on wish list, such as, baby, safety & health items, storage needs, baby toys, books/video tapes, household items, clothes for boys aged 16 to 18, gift certificates to discount stores, girls clothing, personal items, etc

8. An agency serving seniors and clients with mental health problems by providing counseling, education and support to help individuals become more self- reliant.

Current needs:

• Organize a work team, with a commitment of weekly, once only, quarterly or monthly, to join the thrift shop manager after-hours to clean up, organize merchandise, refresh displays, perk up the signage, create display areas, etc
• Adopt a Meals-on-Wheels route: Take on a route one day a week and have members of your group or business take turns delivering hot meals to homebound elderly people on that given day each week, over the noon hour for approx 2 hours, in the communities of Elk Grove or Schaumburg Townships.
• Solicit (non-clothing) garage sale leftovers; arrange for pickup & delivery to the shop
• Hold a fundraiser for Senior Services to offset the cost of Meals on Wheels
• Put on a party for elderly clients and the volunteers who help them. A get-together would give clients an outing and volunteer recognition
• Hold a donation drive for gently used goods to be sold at the thrift shop (toys, games, household items, small appliances, etc)

9. A local agency serving seniors by providing independent living units, sheltered care, long term & intermediate skilled care. A01

Current needs:

• Summer outdoor painting projects available for 2 or more volunteers, supplies provided, may be done Monday – Saturday
• Clean the debris from campus fence lines. 6 to 10 volunteers needed to wash all dining room chairs throughout the campus

10. An organization dedicated to providing professional counseling, education & support services relating to pregnancy & its challenges. A97

Special needs:

• Conduct a baby formula & diaper drive, of all sizes, for the baby Closet & Boutique. Simalac with iron is especially needed
• In need of 5 to 15 volunteers to wash windows inside and out of the counseling center. May be done anytime during the week including Monday & Thursday evenings till 7pm or Saturday for a group

Current needs:

• Trimming of bushes & pulling of weeds around office building 4 times a year. Volunteer must be 16 years and older

11. An agency that provides services and opportunities through a supportive environment for individuals with disabilities and their families. A23

Current needs:

• Outside yard work on 6 acres of land for group of 5 to 50 volunteers, can be done weekdays. Landscaping, planting, weeding, trees & bush trimming, vehicle cleaning, gutter cleaning & repair, etc. Inside work consists of painting, cleaning & general upkeep of buildings. Volunteers must be 16 years or older

12. A local township serving adults, providing door-to-door bus services, Meals on Wheels, recreational, social, educational, and wellness programs, senior health insurance counseling, assistance with filing income taxes, circuit breakers and energy assistance. A27

Current needs:

• Adopt a home of a senior and assist with summer clean up and snow shoveling in the winter in the Hanover Park area

13. A cancer resource center that provides education, encouragement, counseling, seminars, massage therapy, yoga and support groups to all ages. A85

Current needs:

• Assist with the spring clean – up by washing windows inside and out, cleaning out flowerbeds, trim bushes, gutter repair and clean up, etc. Volunteers must be 14 years and older, project may be done any day of the week

14. A local township office, providing services, information and resources to assist and benefit their residents. A89

Current needs:

• Accepting donations of new backpacks and school supplies for the new school year. The following items are the most needed: Backpacks, Highlighters, Permanent Markers, Whiteout, Scissors, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Black, Red, Blue Pens, Composition books & Compasses. This is an on-going opportunity

15. An agency located in the Elgin area dedicated to providing affordable housing to area needy and low income families. A108

Current needs:

• Individuals and groups are needed to provide lunches for construction workers for Habitat for Humanity at work site on Wednesdays and Saturdays for up to 16 people - locations will vary. Also, need lunches for volunteer who are working at their ReStore for 5 -6 volunteers in Elgin.
• Looking for handy people who are interested in building and restore projects for homes for low income families. Work schedule will begin in the spring. Taking all skill levels, must be able to lift building materials. Day & times will vary.

16. An organization that provides support to siblings of children with cancer. A105

Current needs:

• Ongoing project of assembling mailers, welcome kits, fold tee shirts & bandanas, Courage Trophy mailings (600 trophies every other month), etc. The office is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Volunteers must be 13 years and older. Great opportunity for individuals and small groups.

17. An organization dedicated to eliminating cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. A04

Special Event:

• Relay For Life is a community celebration! Have fun while raising money to fight cancer. Assist with registration, security, food sales, set up, etc, 4 p.m. - 6 a.m., Friday & Saturday or Saturday & Sunday, May - July. Call for locations & dates. Volunteers must be 16 years and older and available for 4 hour shifts.

18. An organization dedicated to serving adults by providing independent living to skilled nursing care, adult day services, intergenerational childcare and CCV-Respite care. A44

Current needs:

• On going opportunities for groups of all sizes to come in and do service projects with the residents. These can involve games, parties, visiting, etc. Supplies, such as, refreshments, decorations, etc, will be needed for the parties.

19. An organization at provides residential and home-based services to children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. A102

Current needs:

• We are looking for 10 volunteers, 18 years & older, to train on how to sort the books and the logistics on the June, 2009 Brandise Used Book Sale. Volunteers are needed between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday.

20. An independent & assisted living senior residential community who provides health care, home health, meals and activities. A24

Current needs:

• Cleaning of vans, security & residents automobiles
• Help with grounds work – raking, planting, etc.

21. An agency that provides family service programs for the homeless and needy, i.e., head start children's daycare program, access to medical care, employment counseling, food pantry, transitional housing, etc. A12

Special needs:

• Small group of volunteers needed to help in sorting and shelving the humongous amount of food received through the successful postal drive earlier in May. The food pantry is open Monday – Friday, please call to set up a time to help

Current needs:

• Planting and beautification of 3 buildings in Mt. Prospect, Des Plaines & Arlington Hts. The plants and bushes will need to be donated due to no funding available for this project
• On occasion, updating in the transitional apartments in Arlington Heights & Des Plaines are needed – painting, minor repair, etc. Volunteers must be 16 years or older

22. An agency that helps the disabled live independently while holding down jobs in the community. A79

Special events:

• Poker Run, 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24. Starting point at Jesse Oak's in Gages Lake. (15+)Volunteers, 18 years and older, needed to assist with registration, game tables, hospitality, etc. (3)Shifts available, 1 hour training in Rolling Meadows

23. An organization whose mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. A114

Current needs:

• (1 – 5) Experienced painters needed, 16 years and older, to paint the regional office in Lisle. Supplies will be provided, weekday hours
• Deliver red ribbons for MADD's premiere public awareness campaign during the holiday season. Volunteers, 21 years and older, must have access to a car for delivery and be willing to meet with community partners who distribute ribbons for MADD, will work with your schedule
• Contacting groups to encourage and manage distribution of MADD's red ribbon premiere public awareness campaign. The campaign is active during the holiday season in late November and December. 3 to 5 hours a week in late Nov. and early Dec. Volunteers, 18 years and older, must be comfortable with phone work, basic computer skills necessary

24. The Volunteer Center, Arlington Heights (call 847-228-1320)

A site that works with area human concern agencies and school districts to provide volunteers to meet their needs. We place between 10,000 and 15,000 volunteers annually in the Northwest suburbs!

Special events:

• COMMUNITY PAINT-A-THON, will be held on September 6th. A unique community partnership of concerned volunteer groups and individuals to paint the exterior of homes of financially disadvantaged seniors or the disabled. (Supplies are donated – we just need the elbow grease!) In 2007 we had approximately 500 volunteers painting 24 homes. CALL & GET A GROUP TOGETHER FOR SEPTEMBER 6, 2008!

• Help plan, organize and conduct a fundraiser (i.e. a Casino Night, "Change for Charity" Day, Golf Outing or Tag Days) to help alleviate our current budget constraints and help us continue to provide meaningful services – we refer between 10,000 and 14,000 volunteers to area agencies and schools every year!
• The Volunteer Center is looking for sponsors for our Annual Caring Hearts Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Dinner & Awards Program and its Career EXPO for area high school students. Contact us for further details.
• Check out our Learn How To Donate section on our home page for ideas on how your group can help with financial donations, in-kind donations or donations of services.

Additional: We help coordinate tag days, walk-a-thons, Special Olympic event helpers, and volunteers for planning and/or working in fundraiser events such as Casino Nights and Charity Balls, etc. There are opportunities to serve on Board of Directors, provide technical support, marketing and public relations, provide printing, and other professional support. We also handle special holiday projects, including adopt-a-child or adopt-a-family opportunities to provide gifts and meals to the less fortunate (in coordination with local townships, specialized agencies or shelters; sponsoring and/or providing event help for parties for the disabled or disadvantaged; serving holiday meals in nursing homes; wrapping gifts and helping distribute them in nursing homes, children's homes, to the homeless; cutting, sewing, decorating, and stuffing holiday stockings for children in shelters or disadvantaged areas, and more!

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