Get involved! Volunteer opportunities abound

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. For more opportunities, see the Volunteer Center Web site, www.volunteerinfo.net, call the Center's Agency/School Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1320 or if your are age 55 or older, 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.

Cancer societies

• Wanted: people with heart who are willing to alphabetize and file information for an agency that provides support to siblings of children with cancer. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commit to four hours per day or one full day. Please help! Age 14 & older #1746

Child care

• Engage in activities with special needs children and their siblings while their parents attend a program/networking group, 6:30 to 9 p.m. first Friday of the month Age 14 & older #2053

Children's activities

• Rock and play with babies, interact with pre-school children with games, stories, enrich teacher's planned activities at this child care and early learning center for infants to kindergarten, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Age 55 & older #1669

Food pantry

• Sort and organize food pantry, for self help agency, on ongoing basis. Pantry is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Age 14 & older #73

Fundraising projects

• Join the fun and walk/run for abused and neglected children starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Busse Woods. Volunteers can help with water stations, registration, marshals and more. Age 14 & older #2067

• You are the key to our success. "Poker Run," 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug 24, starting point at Jesse Oak's in Gages Lake. Assist with registration, game tables, hospitality, etc. Three shifts available; one-hour training in Rolling Meadows. Age 18 & older #1177

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 provided. Bilingual volunteers needed. Age 18 & older #273

• Make the end of life a time filled with comfort and kindness. Caring, empathic volunteers to work with terminally ill patients and families. Friendly visits, reading, walking or striking up a conversation with patients. Training provided. Age 55 & older #1500

Hospital volunteers

• Hospital assistance needed in all areas; mail distribution, wheelchair transport, same day surgery, admitting, lobby info desk, physician office reception. Four-hour shifts, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Age 18 & older #558

Mentally and/or physically challenged

• An agency with adult development disabilities need volunteers to research placement of literature in local businesses and to stock literature displays. Age 18 & older #2081

One time events

• Special Olympics Spring Games, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 4 at Prospect High School. Assist with running & field events, lunch, souvenirs, awards, chaperones, set-up, clean-up, etc. Great opportunity for individuals or large groups. Age 14 & older #897

• Do you believe in magic? "Jelly Belly" Days, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., May 16 & 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 17. Join a team to help collect donations, for special needs clients, at businesses in two-hour shifts throughout Northwest suburbs. Age under 16 w/parent #1453

Telephone hotlines

• Provide telephone hotline crisis counseling and information/referrals for sexual assault/abuse survivors and families. Six-hour shifts. Forty-hour training required. Next training will be held in April 2008. Age 18 & older #1992