Volunteer opportunities a plenty

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.

Animals

•Riley, Hunter and Harley, be a volunteer with your master! We are looking for a certified, trained therapy dog to visit with developmentally disabled adults, Monday or Thursdays for one to two hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Age 25 & over #1510

Cancer societies

•Help enhance the quality of life for those with cancer. Assist with set-up and preparation of evening programs and events, and greet participants. Monday through Thursday evenings for one hour. Age 17 & over #1214

Child care

•Early child care program for infants to age five needs classroom activity assistants. TB test and health form necessary. Morning or afternoon, Monday-Thursday. Age 55 & over #1852

Children's activities

•Assist with infant/children therapy program and/or siblings sitting (Spanish helpful), 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., weekdays. Help also needed to maintain Lekotek toy library once a week or every other week (organize toys, track of inventory, etc). Age 18 & over #1804

Food pantry

•Food pantry volunteer to sort, shelve and box food for township residents. Position requires some physical work. Extremely flexible day and times available, approximately three to four hours a week. Age 55 & over #1993

Fundraising projects

•Help with donation collections for the Smiles Tagging Days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 14 and 15, two shifts available. Donations benefit programs that serve children/adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Groups or individuals welcome. Age 17 & over #1769

Hospital volunteers

•Get exercise while helping others! If you like walking, why not join our team of Escort volunteers as they assist patients leaving the hospital. Enjoy exercise while interacting with patients, and learning your way around. Monday-Friday, four hours a week. Age 55 & over #814

Library

•Computer assistants/monitors to help patron with FAQ, setting up e-mail accounts, creating new accounts, walking patron through the print process, basic word processing assistance, etc. Weekday and weekend hours available in two-hour shifts. Age 18 & over #1770

Maintenance

•Do you like to involve yourself with small woodworking projects? A workstation for the developmentally disabled is needed, this one-time project can be done in your home or workshop. Call for details. Age 18 & over #1899

Meals on Wheels

•Des Plaines drivers needed during the noon hours to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins and the disabled. Weekdays for 1 to 1½ hours. Age 18 & over #1271

Mentally and/or physically challenged

•Be a friend and role model to a person with mental illness. Visit or go on outings weekly to help build confidence. Training and support available, commitment of one year. Age 21 & over #115

Mentoring-adults

•Parent Aid Program offers opportunity for adults to make a difference in the lives of a family. You're matched with parents who need support with personal and family difficulties by being a positive role model and working toward established goals. Age 21 & over #1742

Receptionist/ hospitality

•Greet and direct incoming clients at this busy social benefits office. Help needed Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, 8:45 to 11:15 a.m., also Tuesday and Wednesday 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Background check and finger printing are required and will be administered by staff. Age 55 & over #1212

Schools/mentors

•Give a child some individual attention and see the rewards. Tutors for local elementary school children. 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 #1446

•Nurturing adults to work with kindergarten students in one-on-one reading program, Jolly Phonics. Teacher will train. Commit to at least two hours per week for a 10-week period, Tuesday or Thursday 9 to 10 a.m. or 1 to 2 p.m. for the school year. Age 55 & over #1423

Senior citizens assistance

•Assist with Medicare, Medicare HMO and Medicare supplemental claims. Training required. Age 21 & over #255

Senior friendly visitors

•Have you ever had cabin fever? Help brighten someone's day by providing a couple hours of companionship weekly or monthly to a senior. Good listening and conversation skills desirable. Age 18 & over #1284

Shoppers for shut-ins

•Shop for groceries and other necessities or pick up a list and money and do the shopping for them or with the client. Age 18 & over #1279

Telephone hotlines

•Provide emotional support and information to victims of sexual assault/abuse at hospital emergency rooms and police departments. Attend 40-hour training and commit to a six-hour shift once a week. Age 55 & over #1991

•Provide telephone hotline crisis counseling and information/referrals for sexual assault/abuse survivors and families. Six-hour shifts, 40-hour training required. Age 55 & over #1992

Transportation services

•Drivers needed to deliver bags or boxes of groceries to HIV/AIDS patients from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays twice a month. Each driver would deliver to three to five clients. Routes are mapped out so they are one after another. Many suburban routes. Age 21 & over #1930

Youth mentoring

•Youth in Action. Be part of this leadership development team. Help plan and supervise youth activities ranging from community service projects to outward-bound trips to pizza parties. Commit to three hours a month for six months. Age 21 & over #280