Volunteer for Marklund, catch a concert

People who love music have an opportunity to support Marklund at the same time as seeing a performer.

A Marklund corporate supporter, The Buona Companies, has a division called Beyond Events. This particular division manages the concessions for Chicago's Northerly Island concert venue, Charter One Pavilion, which was known formerly as Meigs Field.

Volunteers will work in Beyond Events' main concession tent serving food and drinks during concerts, while Buona will donate a portion of its sales to Marklund. Last year, $9,000 was raised. In 2008, there is the potential to raise $50,000 for Marklund.

Volunteers will be close to the stage, can enjoy the music while working, and dinner will be provided.

"Businesses can use this opportunity for corporate team building," said Stevie Armbruster, development coordinator. "Entire neighborhoods can take part as well as clubs, friends, families or co-workers."

Fifty volunteers are needed per concert. All volunteers must be 16 years old and older, and only volunteers over age 21 will work the cash registers and/or serve alcohol. The total time commitment is approximately eight hours, including travel time, from mid-afternoon to approximately 11 p.m., although times will vary depending on concert start times.

Buona will provide transportation from a convenient location, and training will be provided before the gates open. Marklund volunteers will work together operating cash registers and serving food and beverages. Beyond Events staff will work side-by-side with volunteers.

Breaks and dinner will be provided as will uniform aprons, hats and name badges. Volunteers must wear khaki pants (no jeans), rubber soled closed shoes, socks and a white T-shirts. There will be no heavy lifting or extensive clean-up.

Funds raised for Marklund will go toward the agency's programs and services that benefit the lives of infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.

The concert dates and performers are:

• Thursday, Stone Temple Pilots.

• June 13, Phil Lesh and Friends with Levon Helm.

• June 14, Stevie Nicks.

• June 20, Chicago with the Doobie Brothers.

• July 7, Dropkick Murphys with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

• July 12, Al Green with special guest Dr. John and the Lower 911, & Soulive.

• July 13, Ringo Starr and his All Star Band.

• July 18, Yes.

• July 19, Umphreys McGee With Sound Tribe Sector 9.

• July 22, John Mellencamp with Lucinda Williams.

• July 23, Boston and Styx.

• July 24, OAR with The Beautiful Girls.

• Aug. 23, Music Builds Tour Featuring Third Day and Switchfoot.

For more information or to sign up, e-mail Stevie Armbruster at sarmbruster@marklund.org or call (630) 593-5473.

Marklund, founded in 1954, provides care for people with disabilities. Marklund's services encompass the full realm of human needs, including medical care, home-like residential facilities, habilitative therapies, educational and day services and community-based programs.

Marklund's main campus in Geneva, consists of six, 16-bed residential homes for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities, as well as an educational and training center that provides for the intensive medical, social, emotional and physical needs of the residents.

In Bloomingdale, the Marklund Philip Center for Children encompasses the Children's Home, a skilled pediatric nursing facility for infants, children and medically fragile adults; the Day School, an education program for children ages 3 - 21; early intervention for infants and toddlers age birth to three; and Marklund's respite program.

For information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at (630) 593-5482 or visit www.marklund.org.