Want to volunteer? Check out Giving DuPage online, at open house
Say you have a little time that you'd like to spend helping others, but you're not sure how to get started.
Check out givingdupage.org.
Say you'd like to teach your children about giving back to the community, and you need to find somewhere you can volunteer as a family.
Check out givingdupage.org.
Say you've always liked the idea of working with seniors, helping sick children or preserving history. Maybe it's time to give it a try.
Check out givingdupage.org, and click on the news about the Samples of Service Open Houses.
Giving DuPage is a countywide clearinghouse of not-for-profit organizations. Its Web site - givingdupage.org - has information on getting started as a volunteer or donor and a searchable database designed to match your interests and talents with the needs of local nonprofits.
As part of National Volunteer Week sponsored by the Points of Light Institute, Giving DuPage is coordinating a series of open houses with at least 20 of its member organizations. You can get to know the nonprofit and get a taste for volunteering at the Samples of Service Open Houses between April 18 and 24.
"This event promotes volunteerism in DuPage County by providing a sampling of the various opportunities that are available in our community," Executive Director Kathy Blair said. "Our hope is that those who visit the open houses will find an opportunity perfect for them."
Blair tells us more about volunteering through Giving DuPage.
Q. What is your mission?A. To promote giving and volunteering in DuPage.Q. How?A. We provide an interactive Web site where agencies can post their volunteer opportunities and community members can search for opportunities that align with their interests and availability. We also host events and a publication that promote volunteerism and giving.Q. Who do you serve?A. We serve all the county.Q. When and why did Giving DuPage start? A. The organization was founded in early 2001 and the tragedy of 9/11 really shined the light on volunteerism and community cohesiveness. The number of agencies registered on the Web site has more than doubled, and there was a 53 percent increase in the number of visitors last year. As a result of the support of the community, Giving DuPage has expanded its publication and added events.Q. What kind of successes have you had?A. It is always very satisfying to hear from a nonprofit group that a volunteer who found them on the Giving DuPage Web site has been a godsend.Q. What challenges does the organization face?A. Like all organizations in these difficult economic times, fundraising is a challenge.Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week with the organization?A. Giving DuPage works with more than 250 local organizations. Most people don't know about the variety of volunteer opportunities available in our community. There is literally something for everyone.Q. How can readers get involved?A. Giving DuPage has several sponsorship opportunities available for the annual Giving Guide and Volunteer Recruitment Fair. Those seeking volunteer opportunities can search the Giving DuPage Web site for the opportunity that best meets their interests.Samples of ServiceGiving DuPage is coordinating Samples of Service Open Houses at a number of participating nonprofit organizations. Potential volunteers can learn more about working with the organizations during National Volunteer Week, April 18-24. Contact the nonprofit to sign up. Learn more at givingdupage.org.Almost Home KidsWhen: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20Where: 7S721 Route 53, NapervilleContact: Tiffany Crowe, (630) 271-9155 or tcrowe@almosthomekids.orgAmerican Cancer Society DuPage RegionWhen: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 21Where: 1801 S. Meyers Road, Oak BrookContact: Lauren Brandmeyer, (630) 932-1141, prompt 3, or Lauren.Brandmeyer@cancer.orgProject CARE Plus, Bensenville Elementary District 2When: Schedule a visitContact: Laura Schwarz, (630) 766-2604 or lschwarz@bsd2.orgCantignyWhen: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; tours by appointmentWhere: 1S151 Winfield Road, WheatonContact: Jennifer Benton, (630) 260-8232 or jbenton@cantigny.orgDeicke HomeWhen: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 24Where: 1005 E. Division, LombardContact: Bruce Thompson, (630) 629-5212 or deickehomebt@sbcglobal.netDuPage Children's MuseumWhen: 10-11:30 a.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, April 19 to 23; 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 24Where: 301 N. Washington St., NapervilleContact: Diane Ernst, (630) 637-8000, ext. 4680, or dernst@dupagechildrensmuseum.orgDuPage Community ClinicWhen: 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 22Where: 1506 E. Roosevelt Road, WheatonContact: Yessi Cabrera, (630) 682-0639, ext. 19, or ycabrera@dupagecommunityclinic.orgDuPage County Historical MuseumWhen: 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 22; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24Where: 102 E. Wesley St., WheatonContact: Sara Buttita, (630) 510-4956 or sbuttita@wheatonparks.orgElmhurst Historical MuseumWhen: 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 20Where: 120 E. Park Ave., ElmhurstContact: Nancy Himmes, (630) 833-1457 or nancy.himmes@elmhurst.orgFairview Village and Fairview Baptist HomeWhen: 3-7 p.m. Thursday, April 22Where: 250 Village Drive, Downers GroveContact: Laura Witt, (630) 769-6206 or lwitt@vibrantlivingcommunities.comGlen Ellyn Children's Resource CenterWhen: 4-5:30 p.m. April 19, 22 and 23Where: Lincoln Elementary School, 320 Greenfield Ave., Glen EllynContact: Jessica Rozga, (630) 899-9919 or director@gecrc.orgHope Fair HousingWhen: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, April 19 to 23; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24Where: 2100 Manchester Road, WheatonContact: Shirley Stacy, (630) 690-6500, ext. 3, or shirley.stacy@hopefair.orgHumanitarian Service ProjectWhen: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, April 19 to 23Where: 465 Randy Road, Carol StreamContact: Karole Kettering, (630) 221-8340 or hsp@humanitarianservice.orgLiteracy DuPageWhen: 3-8 p.m. Thursday, April 22Where: 24W500 Maple Ave., NapervilleContact: Tana Tatnall, (630) 416-6699 or info@literacydupage.orgMarklundWhen: 1-2 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. Monday, April 19Where: 1S450 Wyatt Drive, GenevaContact: Stevie Armbruster, (630) 593-5473 or sarmbruster@marklund.orgNaper SettlementWhen: 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 21, and Friday, April 23; information table available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, April 20 to 24Where: 523 S. Webster St., NapervilleContact: Mary Hudspeath, (630) 305-5256 or hudspeathm@naperville.il.usPetsNPatientsWhen: By appointmentWhere: 220 W. Elmwood, NapervilleContact: Ann Marie Schrage-Glaviano, (801) PET-SLUV or petsnpatients@gmail.comSenior Home SharingWhen: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, in Downers Grove and Naperville; 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, in Elmhurst and Lombard; 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 24 in Downers Grove and NapervilleContact: Maria George, (630) 407-0440, ext. 252, or mgeorge@seniorhomesharing.orgSenior Suburban OrchestraWhen: 1:30-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 20Where: Fairview Village, 200 Village Drive, Downers GroveContact: MJ Leutgert, (708) 771-5079 or mj812@sbcglobal.netSharing Connections Funiture BankWhen: 10 a.m to noon Monday, April 19Where: 5111 Chase Ave., Downers GroveContact: Ann Wohlberg, (630) 971-0565 or awohlberg@sharingconnections.orgThe British HomeWhen: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 22Where: 8700 W. 31st St., BrookfieldContact: Stephanie Donaghey, (708) 485-5663 or stephanie.donaghey@thebritishhome.orgThe Salvation ArmyWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24Where: 1S415 Summit Ave., Oakbrook TerraceContact: Sue Linden, (630) 808-4165 or sue linden@usc.salvationarmy.orgUniversity of Illinois ExtensionWhen: 10 a.m. to noon Satuday, April 24Where: 1100 E. Warrenville Road, NapervilleContact: Heather Britton, (630) 955-1123 or hbritton@illinois.edu <p class="factboxheadblack">Vital stats</p><p class="News"><b>Contacts per month:</b> Average of 3,420 Web site visitors a month in 2009</p><p class="News"><b>Full-time employees:</b> 1</p><p class="News"><b>Address:</b> Giving DuPage, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton</p><p class="News"><b>Info: </b>(630) 407-6458 or <a href="http://givingdupage.org" target="new">givingdupage.org</a></p>