• 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 November, 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:

• Do you believe in magic? "Jelly Belly" Days, 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., on Friday, May 15 & 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 16. Join a team to help collect donations, for special needs clients, at businesses in 2-hour shifts throughout Northwest suburbs.

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
• Assembling toys donated at area distribution center for client use or resale to benefit clients enrolled in programs

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

Special events:

• Special Olympics Basketball Tournament, 730 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 14 and January 18 at Hersey High School, (100) Volunteers, 14 years & older to help as scorekeepers, timers, lunch/hospitality and committee work.
• Trip the light fantastic at the Fall Formal for the special needs teen club (ages 12 - 21) from 7 -9 p.m. on Friday, November 14, in Addison. (5 -10 volunteers needed)
• Have lots of fun at Social Club Outings on various Friday nights from 7 – 9 pm. with special needs adults. Enjoy Ringling Bros Circus or the Fantasy Dance on November 14, and a Snowflake Ball on December 12. (5 -1 0 volunteers needed for each event)
• Attention all bowlers, strike up a great time by coming out & showing your best moves at a Bowling Tournament! Bowl along with special needs adults from 10 am - 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec 6, at Deerbrook Lanes in Deerfield. (5-10 volunteers needed)

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
• 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
• Assist an agency that supports abused and neglected children with journal making for adolescents and families. Agency has a limited budget, so any donation of scrapbooking type materials, embellishments, creative decorative items appreciated. Composition notebooks are covered and embellished for the children to use as journals.
• Put together "incentive bags" for children in shelters; travel size shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.; or goodie/treat bags. Agency may have a limited budget but donations will also be needed. Open to weekdays & weekends participation.

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

Special Events:

• Walk for the Mental Health of It! 8 a.m. - noon, Saturday, May 9, at Busse Woods in Elk Grove. Assist with set up, registration, refreshments, water stops, clean up, etc. Committee meets now until May 2009. Walk benefits clients with mental illness.

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:

• Outdoor painting projects available for 2 or more volunteers, supplies provided, may be done Monday – Saturday, weather providing.
• 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

Current needs:

• An agency providing counseling, education a support service for women and families facing pregnancy and parenting issues needs help at their center doing heavy cleaning, washing walls, cleaning behind furniture, cleaning floors. Work can be done any Friday or Saturday during the fall. Volunteers must be 18 years & older.
• Trimming of bushes & pulling of weeds around office building 4 times a year. Volunteer must be 16 years and older
• 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

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
• Maintenance project for a center that provides support programs for adults with mental and physical challenges. Remove and replace paneling at center located in Waukegan. Volunteers must be 21 years & older.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. An organization that 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
• Assist with window washing, yard clean up, painting buildings, etc for agency serving special needs children and adults. Volunteers must be 16 years & older.
• Help with yard clean-up by raking & bagging leaves for residential community for persons with disabilities. Any day between 9 a.m. & 5 p.m. except for Sunday. Can accommodate groups up to 50. Bring your own gloves & rakes.

16. 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.

17. 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

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

Special events:

• Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser need volunteers to set-up and serve from 5:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday March 6 2009. Dinner benefits disabled adults. Volunteers must be 15 years & older. (6 volunteers needed)

19. 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

  20. An organization that provides basic necessary service such as foods and nutrition to people living with HIV/AIDS in order to promote self sufficiency, prevention education, case management, and housing services throughout metropolitan Chicago. A104

  Special needs:

  • "Harvest for Hope" non perishable food drive and personal care items to help low-income people impacted by HIV/AIDS. Make it a event! Make it a Challenge! Make it Thoughtful! Great project for groups! Donations can be picked up or drop off at site.

  Current needs:

  • Landscaping to improve outside of building – group must provide materials for this project.
  • Participate in upcoming AIDS Walk/Run – date TBD
  • Help with general cleaning of food warehouse, inventory and sorting food items

  21. A local hospice that provides nursing, social work, & spiritual care to terminally ill adults & children. A56

  Current needs:

  • Provide lap quilts to patient families at the time of death as a token gift. Looking for experienced sewers or quilters guild to help provide this everlasting gift in memory of their loved one.

  22. An agency that offers residential, vocational, educational services for individuals with developmental disabilities to empower them to participate fully in all areas of community life. A25

  Current needs:

  • Agency serving adults with disabilities has needs at their Arlington Heights facility for groups up to 25. Trim branches over garden boxes, cut weeds around building, trim bushes outside lunch room Paint & stain benches. Volunteers must bring supplies and equipment. Volunteers must be 18 years & older.

  23. Area organization that provides temporary overnight shelter & meals for the homeless in 17 northwest cook county suburbs. Also provides counseling & job referrals. A54

  Current needs:

  • Help the homeless by planning a clothing and gift certificate drive. We are looking for men's and women's underwear, socks & jeans all sizes. Toiletries and gift certificates to any type of fast food restaurant or discount store.

    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:

    Current needs:

    • Caring Hearts Community Drive is an effort to provide essential needs for disadvantaged members of our community. Certificates to: Jewel, Dominicks, Wal-Mart, Meijer, etc., along with cleaning supplies, toiletries & baby items will be accepted.
    • 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.
    • The Volunteer Center is looking for sponsors for our Annual Caring Hearts Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Dinner & Awards Program. Contact us for further details.
    • Check out our Ways to Support Volunteerism section on our home page for ideas on how you 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!

    We work with approximately 140 social service agencies and schools, and there are always special needs. We look forward to the opportunity to partner with you in helping build stronger communities. Thank you for the consideration of your time, concern and talent.

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    The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago
    (847) 228-1320
    Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Northern Cook & Northern DuPage Counties
    (847) 228-1006
    2121 S. Goebbert Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005
    fax (847)228-1327 or e-mail:volunteer@volunteerinfo.net

    Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.