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 if your are age 55 or over, call Retired & Senior Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1006. The code at the end of each item is used to match volunteers with agencies; have the code ready when you call.

Alzheimer's/ related disorders

• Assist the director on dementia unit floor with reading, storytelling and other activities weekends and weekdays with other scheduled activities. Flexible schedule. Age 55 & over #325

Clerical/office help

• Filing clerk needed to file invoices for blood services office. Flexible hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Age 16 & over #604

• Light office work including filing, opening boxes, placing pamphlets and forms on shelves, photocopying and sorting mail. Training provided, approximately eight hours a week any day Monday-Friday. Age 55 & over #1174

Computer/data entry

• Social service agency is looking for someone to help maintain their Web site on a regular basis. You must be experienced and have the ability to access and update pertinent information. Age 21 & over #1736

Disaster relief

• Volunteer health professionals are needed on Palatine's Medical Reserve Corp. Volunteers will assist local first responders during a disaster and be available resource to help the community with public health needs. Various committees are available. Age 18 & over #2061

• Community Emergency Response Training, free 20-hour course, available to Palatine residents (space allows, surrounding communities) will be held March and May. Age 18 & over #1705

Food pantry

• Help collect non-perishable food items, including household goods -- an opportunity for groups, schools, individuals or community groups. Age 12 & over #1360

Fundraising projects

• Spaghetti dinner fundraiser needs volunteers to set up and serve from 5 to 8 p.m. March 14. Dinner benefits disabled adults. Age 15 & over #1958

• Donation of books needed to support an organization that supports children and adults with mental and physical challenges. The books will be sold at the Brandise Book Sale held in June. Volunteers are also needed weekdays to sort books. Age 18 & over #2021

Hospice/respite

• Caring, empathic volunteers are needed to work with terminally ill patients and families. Friendly visits, reading, walking or striking up a conversation with patients. Training provided. Age 55 & over #1500

Library

• Organize and maintain a small library and resource center at hospital's day care center and also read stories to children under the supervision of a day care teacher. Librarian experience and good organizational skills needed. Age 55 & over #2044

Meals on Wheels

• Wheeling Township is in desperate need of volunteer drivers during the noon hours to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins and the disabled on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Age 18 & over #1275

• Palatine 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 #1274

Mentally and/or physically challenged

• Are you a highly energetic individual with experience and/or education in exercise and fitness and able to run an exercise class one day a week with 10 to 12 adults with developmental disabilities? Hours are 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays or Fridays. Age 21 & over #1946

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 flyers, organize supplies, etc. Age 15 & over #1811

• Help residents with activities or occasional personal tasks, manicuring, letter writing, in reception area, sorting mail, resident escort or as friendly visitor from 9 to 4 p.m., weekdays, 1 to 4 p.m. weekends. Age 14 & over #122

One-time events

• Spend Feb. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with special needs children. Assist activities at the nature center, live the day as a pirate, fun at the arcade, or make your own pizza at Barnaby's. Swimming and lunch following each activity. Age 14 & over #871

• Have fun from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 29 with special needs children. There will be bowling, eating lunch at Wendy's and going to a movie. Volunteers pay their own way for lunch and a movie. Age 14 & over #1408

• Assist at a gala to benefit adults with disabilities from 4:30 to 11 p.m. April 12 at Chevy Chase. Assist with auction tables selling raffles tickets, direct check-out flow, and more. Age 18 & over #1962

Receptionist/hospitality

• Ongoing telephone/reception positions Monday through Friday, morning or afternoons for an organization that serves area seniors. Must have good phone skills and basic clerical skills. Will work with your schedule. Training will be provided. Age 21 & over #1367

Schools/mentors

• Elementary school children would enjoy an hour of your day to help them with school work. Volunteers are teacher-directed and needed for the school year. Age 55 & over #1963

Senior centers

• Help plan and host parties or special events for area seniors. Age 18 & over #1277

• Kitchen Band is seeking new members. Singers, kazoo players and spoon players are welcome to join this group that meets from 11 a.m. to noon first and third Wednesday of each month in the Niles area. Age 55 & over #785

Senior citizens assistance

• Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Des Plaines, looking for volunteers to rake leaves, shovel snow, provide a ride or meal, paint a fence, mow the lawn, repair an item, write letters or help with crafts, etc. Age 18 & over #847

Senior friendly visitors

• Bring joy to the life of a local shut-in senior by sharing time and companionship a few flexible hours a week or month. Good listening and conversation skills desirable. Age 16 & over #1968

Serve food

• Share your cooking skills by planning, purchasing, preparing and serving Monday night community dinner from 2 to 7 p.m. for 60 to 80 people Cooks can commit to one Monday night a month; groups are welcome to participate. Age 21 & over #2020

Special skills volunteer

• Volunteers who have experience in grant writing are needed for a social service agency. Arrangements can be made to work from home. Age 21 & over #713

Thrift/gift/resale shops

• Share your organizational skills at a thrift shop that benefits the disabled. Volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday to sort, tag and place items in the shop. Hours are flexible. Age 18 & over #1568

Transportation services

• Driver wanted to deliver promotional brochures to area libraries, etc., on quarterly basis for social service agency. Time flexible. Choice of territories in near North and Northwest suburbs. Age 21 & over #328

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 or two hours, once a week for 12-week sessions. Age 18 & over #1984