Get involved!

You can make a difference and help benefit the community where you live and work. The Volunteer Center has hundreds of opportunities; listed here is a sampling. Call the Center at (847) 228-1320. If you are 55 or older, call the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at (847) 228-1006. Visit www.volunteerinfo.net for further information and a complete listing. The code at the end of each item is used to match volunteers with agencies; have the code ready when you call.

Maintenance

Help with Spring cleanup for a family with disabilities. Small group or family is needed to do yard clean up. Volunteers need to bring rakes and bags, any day of the week is fine. Call for details. Age 16 and older #1931

Habitat for Humanity will hold monthly volunteer orientation from 10 to 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month at their ReStore in Elgin. This is a general orientation that will cover information on all of their volunteer positions. Age 18 and older #1822

One Time Events

Special Olympics Softball Skills Event, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 23, to be held in Schaumburg. Fifty volunteers are needed to help with hospitality, setup, cleanup, medical, field escorts and committee help. Age 14 and older #1730

A local park district is in need of assistance for their summer Patio Entertainment held twice a month on Friday evenings June through August. Monitoring the parking lot to helping serve food etc. Age 18 and older #2108

Funfest to benefit adult with disabilities from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 20. Help with setup, tend a game or be a buddy to an adult with disabilities throughout the day's activities and lunch. Age 16 and older #1176

Calling all dog lovers to volunteer during "Woofstock" at Lambs Farm on June 21. Shifts are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.;1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers will be helping with assisting during Pet Fashion Show, holding leashed dogs while owners are in the shops, etc. Age 14 and older #1944

Receptionist/Hospitality

Lambs Farm is in need of volunteers to be greeters and assist the wait/bus staff in the Country Inn Restaurant. Hours are 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Age 14 and older #1169

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 and older #847

Russian speaking persons needed to make follow up quarterly phone calls plus a brief documentation of the call to clients who are being serviced by a senior services agency. Calls to be made quarterly, weekdays, 9 to 4 p.m. Age 21 and older #1877

Food service volunteers for congregate meals program in Des Plaines. Duties include registration, communication with public and collect fee from meal participants. Flexible any day during week between 10:15 and 1:30 p.m. On the job training Age 55 and older #1867

Senior Friendly Visitors

Provide companionship by being a friendly visitor to a shut-in (good listening and conversation skills desirable) Age 16 and older #1282

Bring joy to the life of a local shut-in senior by sharing time and companionship a couple of flexible hours a week or month. Age 18 and older #1283

Trivia and word gamers to lead assisted living residents in this after dinner activity. Play 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. any day Sunday through Saturday. Age 55 and older #1692

Serve Food

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

Provide lunches for construction workers for Habitat for Humanity at work site on Wednesday and Saturdays for up to 16 people. Locations will vary. Also, need lunches for volunteers who are working at their ReStore for five to six volunteers in Elgin. Age 14 and older #1826

Shelters for Women and Children

Donation drive is needed for a transitional shelter for homeless women and their children and for their new domestic violence shelter. Paper products, dish soap, trash bags, household cleaners, baby products, etc. Start collecting now in your community. Age 10 and older #1790

The Safe House manager needs ongoing assistance with picking up donations and purchasing item from the grocery store or other merchandise stores. Resource Coordinator will work with volunteer for a weekly schedule. Age 18 and older #1762

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 a client. Age 16 and older #1280

Special Skills Volunteer

Join the Quest Program at Lambs. Assist instructors in a variety of classes/activities offered to participants to help them reach their personal best. Volunteers are needed for three hours, once a week for 12 weeks, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Age 21 and older #654

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Victim Speakers to speak at area schools or Victim Impact Panels for offenders. Time frame is one to two hours per engagement. Must be able to speak to groups ranging in size, age and experience. Speaker must have been closely impacted by a DUI crash. Age 18 and older #2116.

Looking for additional crafters to bring in your own ideas or find new craft ideas. 9 to 11 a.m. Thursdays Age 55 and older #1905

Provide musical stimulation and reminiscing for the enjoyment of residents at this nursing facility. Guitarist or piano player to perform one set day a week Monday, Wednesday or Friday, between 2 and 4 p.m. Age 55 and older #2069

Female bilingual volunteer needed to assist an English instructor for pilot program for a women's one stop center. Assist with programs such as literacy, employment skills, and support group. Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Arlington Heights. Age 18 and older #749

Telephone Hotlines

Provide telephone hotline crisis counseling and information/referrals for sexual assault/abuse survivors and families. Six hour shifts. 40-hour training required. Training provided. Age 18 and older. #1992

Thrift Shops/Gift Shops/Resale Shops

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

Volunteers are needed for customer service, cashier, and warehouse pickup at the

ReStore for Habitat for Humanity in Elgin. Various shifts are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Age 18 and older #1823

Transportation Services

"Helping Hands" Drivers needed to escort seniors to doctor's appointments for checkups tests, etc. Volunteers select the days they're available. Must have valid driver's license. Age 25 and older #1230

Serve child care providers by delivering toys to family child care providers homes and demonstrating activities for the children. Deliveries in Des Plaines and Glenview. No delivery in the summer months, two hours a month using your own car. Age 55 and older #1193

In need of drivers one or two days a week to pick up dialysis patients in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows or Glenview and return them to their homes in the Northwest Suburbs. Pick up at approximately 7 to 7:30 p.m. Must have valid driver's license. Flexible schedule. Age 21 and older #2055

Bus monitors for head start preschool children. Monitors will check student I.D., ride buses, and assist with getting children on and off for midday shift 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., four days a week. Age 55 and older. #83