Get involved with these programs

Get involved! For more opportunities, see the Volunteer Center Web site, www.volunteerinfo.net.

You can make a difference and help the community in which you live and work. The Volunteer Center has hundreds of opportunities; listed here is a sampling. Call the Center's Agency/School Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1320 or Retired & Senior Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1006.

Citizenship program

•Help community members become citizens, volunteer as an application assistant. Volunteer (registration, greeter, traffic control, etc. at monthly workshop. Next date is Aug 18 at 8:30 a.m. in Palatine. Training, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16 in Skokie. Age 55 & over #1979

Clerical/office help

•Center for community mental health and senior services in need of clerical volunteers. Commit to three or four hours a week making phone calls for quotes, to clients receiving services, general clerical work and data entry. Age 16 & over #1981

Homeless

•Eighteen shelter sites are open one night per week, October-April. Trained volunteers needed to help set-up, check in guests, serve dinner, oversee site, etc. Second and third shift workers needed in Northwest suburbs. Training begins in September. Age 16 & over #808

Hospice/respite

•Provide respite to caregivers, friendly visits, homemaker assistance to patients in their homes or long term facilities, also follow-up contact to bereaved, days, evenings or weekends. Training begins in March. Bilingual volunteers needed. Age 18 & over #273

Law enforcement

•Senior advisory council members welcomes new members to join forums. New Forum dates and topics to be announced. Meetings third Tuesday of the month. Call for details. Age 55 & over #95

Library

•Area library needs aide in reading room at area senior center library. Positions involves checking library materials in/out, assisting patrons with inquiries and shelving materials. Consistent attendance is required. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, three hours a week. Age 50 & over #1909

Literacy programs

•Enhance the lives of women in transitional shelter and share your knowledge by tutoring them. Volunteer will arrange time availability with coordinator and women needing help, on a "as needed" basis in Crystal Lake or McHenry. Age 18 & over #1526

Meals on Wheels

•Arlington Heights drivers needed during the noon hour to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins and the disabled. Weekdays for 1 to 1ˆ¨ hours. Substitute drivers also needed to cover a daily driver's route when on vacation or ill. Age 18 & over #1269

•Barrington drivers needed during the noon hour to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins. Weekdays for 1 to 1ˆ¨ hours. Age 18 & over #1270

Mentally and/or physically challenged

•Help teach adults with developmental disabilities from the following areas of interest: Computers, money management, animal care, basic reading, writing, math, community safety, organization/time management. Curriculums available. Call for details. Age 18 & over #1983

•Get in the Christmas holiday spirit early by volunteering at a Holiday Breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1 for individuals with developmental disabilities. Assist with preparing/serving food and raffle. Entertainers are also needed. Age 14 & over #1982

•Share your dancing talent with individuals with special needs in Northbrook. Join the fun from 6 to 8 p.m. fourth Thursday of the month Age 18 & over #1985

Nursing homes

•Clerical support is needed with general administrative and clerical tasks at an area nursing home in the Financial and Life Enrichment departments to assist with filing, data entry, monthly billing, attendance records, typing flier, organize supplies, etc. Age 15 & over #1811

One-time events

•Spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit disabled adults needs volunteers to setup and serve from 5 to 8 p.m. March 14, 2008. Age 15 & over #1958

•Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Hersey High School. Need 20 to 30 volunteers for line judges, scorekeeping, announcer, hospitality/lunch and opening ceremonies. Age 14 & over #813

Receptionist/ hospitality

•Greet parents at elementary school lobby accepting packages and offer help to school office. School days and hours only. Volunteers needed for current school year. Age 55 & over #1567

Schools/mentors

•Meaningful tutor assignments working one-on-one with children under the direction of the teacher. Prior teaching experience not necessary. Volunteers needed for the school year. Age 55 & over #1451

Senior centers

•Whatever your talent or interests, there's a spot for you on the volunteer staff at this adult center. Age 55 & over #1704

Senior visitors

•Residents would love additional attention with their planned activities during the day. Assist with crochet classes, putting together puzzles, playing bingo, selling from "rolling store" cart on Friday mornings. All other activities, flexible hours. Age 55 & over #1913

Thrift/gift/ resale shops

•Assist shoppers and operate cash register in lovely hospital gift shop 3 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon to 3 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Age 55 & over #625

Tutoring

•Share your talents with adults with special needs who are eager to learn and participate in book clubs, knitting/crocheting, scrap booking, photography, home design and coffee clutch. Classes are one to two hours, once a week for 12-week sessions. Age 18 & over #1984

Youth mentoring

•Be a leader or team player. The Youth Advocate Program matches adults with young people between 7 and 15. The emphasis is on showing young people that they are special. Training provided. Age 21 & over #209