Many area nonprofits need you as a volunteer

Volunteers are one of McHenry County's most valuable assets. Each day volunteers are pitching in helping local non-profits in need.

The easiest way to get connected to a nonprofit volunteer need is by visiting the Web site www.volunteermchenry county.org. You can also get connected to local needs by calling the office at (815) 344-4483 or emailing to rstiemke@volunteermchenrycounty.org.

If you are a McHenry County nonprofit in need of volunteers let us help you. Visit www.volunteermchenry county.org to register your organization.

The volunteer center is located at 4508 Prime Parkway, McHenry. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

United Way McHenry County Volunteer Center can help you get involved. Here are just a few of the nearly 400 volunteers opportunities listed on the Web site, www.volunteermchenrycounty.org.

• McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center needs help with adoptive families in Woodstock. Other needs are listed on the Web site. Volunteer will help adoptive family view animal. Give family information about specific animals and help in making a good match. They will help with paperwork to complete the adoption.

• CASA of McHenry County needs CASA volunteers countywide. Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers are trained citizens who are appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of an abused and/or neglected child in court.

• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill needs planners in Crystal Lake. Other needs are listed on the Web site. NAMI is looking for individuals to help with the planning of the fifth annual walkathon taking place Sept. 30 at Veteran Acres in Crystal Lake. Assistance is needed for generating interest in sponsorship, planning a team captain's luncheon and recruiting.

• McHenry County Conservation District needs help with land restoration countywide. Other needs listed on the Web site. Volunteers can help stewards with land restoration at the different sites around the county.

• Centegra Health System needs volunteer for gift shop in Woodstock. Other needs listed on the Web site. The Memorial Medical Center Gift Shop needs volunteers to assist customers with purchases, run the cash register, wrap gifts and put out stock.

• The Salvation Army Golden Diners needs help with meal deliver in Woodstock. Other needs listed on the Web site. Volunteers will deliver meals to seniors at home.

• McHenry County College needs tutors in Crystal Lake. Other needs listed on the Web site. Volunteers teach adult students basic literacy skills in reading or English as a second language. The students are enthusiastic learners and appreciative of any assistance.

• Challenger Learning Center for Science and Technology needs greeter in Woodstock. Other needs listed on the Web site. Friendly, upbeat individuals needed to greet visitors and answer the phone at our front desk.

• Faith in Action of McHenry County needs assistance in McHenry. Other needs listed on the Web site. Seniors who have just experienced surgery or another life changing event need assistance for a short period of time with light housekeeping such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping ... we do not scrub kitchens or bathrooms.

• McHenry County PADS needs church site volunteers in Richmond. Emergency Church Shelter Program.

-- Dinner and set up at shelter any night from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., preparing a dinner either at the shelter of your choice or at another location and bringing the meal to the shelter of your choice. Helping set up eating and sleeping areas

-- Pack sack lunches for guests, drop off at shelter of your choice by 6:30 p.m. night of distribution. Pack sack lunches that include a sandwich, water or juice, fruit or fruit cup and a snack. Lunches must be dropped off at shelters, and set up assistance is always appreciated

-- Clean-up crew, from approximately 7 to 8 a.m.

-- Laundry help. Pick up at site and return before the next week's shelter day

-- Registering guests and guest interaction, approximately from 7 to 10 p.m.

-- Guest supervision from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m.

-- Guest supervision from 3 to 5 a.m., start coffee.

-- Breakfast clean-up from 5:30 to 7 a.m.

• P.E.A.C.E. 4 ALL needs help setting up Community Rummage and Treasure Tent in Crystal Lake. Set up for this event includes sorting, folding and displaying of donated items, setting up tents and tables.