Organizers hope for big turnout for annual A-May-Zing Mundelein event

When it comes to volunteering, Kay Dickman of Mundelein expresses a very straightforward philosophy: "We can't do everything, but we all can do something."

With that in mind, Dickman can hardly wait for the 20th annual A-May-Zing Mundelein community volunteer day, planned for the morning of Saturday, May 16.

"I love it. And please be aware that I am 77 years old, so I am not a kid anymore, though sometimes I might act like one," Dickman said when asked about her involvement as a volunteer for nearly every one of the past 20 community work days.

"It gives me an opportunity to give back to my village and interact with young people - it is just a great event."

Many Mundelein residents agree with Kay, considering the number of people involved.

"Last year, we had 111 jobs and 118 volunteers at the locations," said Jennifer Marshall, executive assistant to Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther. She has a hand in organizing the A-May-Zing Mundelein work day.

Marshall said the effort was started two decades ago by a group of community leaders.

"The group was called Project CAPE (Create a Positive Environment) and they consisted of a cross section of individuals from local government, business, law enforcement, education, religion, social services, service organizations, senior citizens and, probably most important - the Mundelein youth," she said.

Project CAPE was looking for ways to bring the community together while also supporting those who might need a little bit of help with springtime projects. Volunteers turned out and yards were raked, windows were washed, and a tradition was born.

More recently, the name was changed to A-May-Zing Mundelein: A Day of Caring, with the name playing on the month in which the event takes place. The goal remains largely the same, Marshall noted.

"Our mission is to bring together individuals from the community to assist those in need and send a message of unity to all," she said.

Who can help? As Dickman explains it, just about everyone.

"This is absolutely something everyone can do. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball players, teenagers doing community service hours, families, co-workers, individuals … Tasks are really simple and all kinds of people come out to give back to the residents of Mundelein who need a little help, usually our senior citizens," she said.

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, including Ace Hardware, Groot, McDonald's, Taylor Rental and Walgreens, all of the tools, supplies and even refreshments are provided.

All participants receive a free A-May-Zing Mundelein T-shirt to help identify them as they move about the village. In case you are wondering about the design of the shirt, Kay had a hand in that as well.

"I was fortunate enough, several years ago, to draw the cartoon characters they use," says the retired assistant risk manager for Advocate Condell Medical Center, who was quick to say she didn't consider herself a professional artist.

When it comes to Mundelein pride, Dickman may be one of the village's biggest cheerleaders.

"We moved to Mundelein in 1961. As my children were growing up, there were always so many activities for kids to do," said Dickman, who refused to move when her high school guidance counselor husband took jobs in Elgin and later Lake Zurich.

"I didn't want to move out of Mundelein. We had a great neighborhood. And I'm still not moving out of Mundelein."

With that in mind, it is no surprise Dickman would like to see a big turnout for A-May-Zing Mundelein's 20th anniversary event.

"This is such a wonderful way to help people in our town. You get to know people and give a helping hand," she said.

Interested volunteers are encouraged to sign up by May 11 to allow for project planning. However, volunteers are always welcome to show up that day because, as Kay says, "We can never have too many people."

All volunteers must sign a waiver, which is available on the Mundelein Police Department website, www.mundelein.org/police, and at the event. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration and a complementary continental breakfast runs from 8 to 9 a.m. May 16 at the Mundelein Police Department, 221 North Lake St. After that, groups will be sent to locations to begin their spruce-up projects. Participants should plan to work approximately a half-day.

For questions about the A-May-Zing Mundelein event, or to schedule a project, donate supplies or volunteer, contact Jennifer House at (847) 968-3770.