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 or visit volunteerinfo.net. The code at the end of each item is used to match volunteers with agencies; have the code ready when you call.

Adopt-an-individual or family

• Adopt senior families in Palatine Township. Wrap and deliver gifts by Dec. 15. Call for lists and details. Also need 10 gift certificates for needy seniors to Kohl's, Target, Walmart, Jewel, Dominick's, etc., value up to $25. All ages. A55 #2051

• Spread Holiday Cheer by donating new toys ($12-$15), holiday cookies, or juice boxes for area needy children's holiday party to be held on Dec 6 for 850 children. Program is provided through area organization that supports pregnant women and their children. All ages. A97 #2143

• Help the homeless by planning a clothing and gift certificate drive. Need men's and women's underwear, socks and jeans all sizes. Toiletries and gift certificates to any type of fast food restaurant or discount store. Age 10 and over. A54 #1783

• Remember the elderly in an area nursing home during the holiday season, donate gifts such as new 5x7-inch picture frames, small lap blankets, gift certificates to Walmart, Target, sweaters or zipper sweatshirts - M, L, XL. All ages A01 #1329 A44 #1340 A14 #1610 A39 #1613

• Adopt-A-Family or child from youth and family services program or for agency serving homeless women and their children supply gift certificates for the youth mentoring program. Call for details on family or child. All ages. A10 #1331, A71 #1349, A14 #2190, A70 #1330, A63 #2202

• Support the City of Des Plaines Mitten Tree by donating new hats, mittens, gloves and scarves for children/adults. Donate yourself or run a drive among friends or co-workers. Collection runs Nov. 10 through Dec. 12; various drop-off sites. All ages. A19 #1353

• Provide gifts to area disabled adults; many do not have a family. Also seeking holiday gifts of $5 to $10 and gift certificates to McDonalds, Walmart and Target, etc. Any level of donations is appreciated. Call for details and specific wish list. All ages. A25 #1869 #1835 A20 #2227

• Donate baby items such as car seats, diapers and formulas for clients of the Family Preservation program. Gift certificates to Jewel and Target along with bus passes are also beneficial to clients during these difficult economic times. All ages. A53 #2199

• Assist an agency that supports families in crisis by providing holiday gifts for needy children (suggest $50-$75 per child), specific names and lists available. Deliver by Dec. 17, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Age 10 and over. A12 #1874

• Emergency Boys Group Home needs six sets of new bedding (sheets and comforters) twin size needed. All ages. A63 #2203

• Bring cheer to children with disabilities at a holiday party held on Dec. 6 by donating toys, chapter books, girl and boy specific toys up to 16 years old, and gift cards to Target, Walmart, etc. 2 Volunteers to assist at the party from noon - 2:30 p.m. Age 18 and over. A62 #1301

Crafts, favors and decorations

• Holiday Hugs program held by blood drive agency to supply stuffed animals to children in hospitals. 8,000 animals will be given in the name of donors; a personalized gift tag and bow need to be tied on each. Flexible times, program runs through Dec. 13. Age 16 and over. A42 #2193

• Bring the Christmas spirit to area shelters that provide support for homeless women and their children. Donation of 10 small artificial Christmas trees, lights and ornaments will help to brighten their holidays. All ages. A71 #2204

• Two to four volunteers needed to help with decorating two or three Christmas trees at an area nursing home around Thanksgiving; date to be agreed upon. Teens, families and individuals welcome. Age 14 and over. A01 #1620

• Nursing home seeks volunteers to help put up inside Christmas decorations; trees, garland, etc., Tues, Dec. 2. Assist with outside decorations (lights, garland, wreaths) Monday, Dec. 1, daytime. Helpers needed to take down decorations, Wednesday, Jan. 7 (outside) and Thursday, Jan. 8 (inside) A 117 #2225

Food donations

• Provide food for an open house to thank volunteers for all they do for the homeless at area shelters. Call for details and dates. All ages. A54 #2201

• Participate in a food drive for the holiday season. A local transitional women's shelter and The Girls' After School Program will be collecting canned goods and non perishable foods from Nov. 12 until Dec. 17. Gift cards to local grocery stores are also welcome. All ages. A53 #2196 A71 # 1651

• Provide holiday party paper goods, plates, cups and napkins and food: potato chips, hot chicken, etc., and soda (four large bottles each, orange, 7-up and cola flavors) for 45 people for holiday party. All ages. A55 #2194

• Help supply turkey dinners for residential homes of six people with developmental disabilities. Various dates are available in December for holiday parties. Age 14 and over. A25 #2029

• Organize a food and toiletry drive for an agency supporting abused and neglected children (hold through a company, club, school, or even a local grocery store). Call for list of food items needed. Open to all ages. A63 #2162

• Thanksgiving food baskets or bags are needed for 45 needy families in the Chicago area. Canned and packaged goods, gift certificates to food stores are needed by Nov 20. Groups and individuals welcome. Children (under 15) must be accompanied by adults. All ages. A102 #2187

• Family service organization will host several holiday parties for their clients. Food donations such as homemade lasagna, pasta, salads and desserts are needed along with gift certificates to food stores or restaurants. Gift certificates needed by Dec. 8. All ages. A53 #2198

• Help collect non perishable food and personal care items for an agency that serves over 500,000 meals annually to low-income people impacted by HIV/AIDS. Lists provided. A104 #1802

Friendly visitors and entertainment

• Provide entertainment for the holidays or be a friendly visitor anytime at a local nursing home. Open to all ages. A44 and A01 #1326 and #1324

• Bring music and melody to disabled residents. Come and sing holiday songs any time on Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m. in December. Groups of six people minimum. Age 18 and over. A20 #1325

• Agency serving the developmental disabled is looking for groups or individuals to entertain during the holiday season anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Northbrook. Age 18 and over. A25 #1843

• Join the Thanksgiving Family Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 23 and on Thanksgiving Day at an area nursing home. Volunteers to set up, serve and socialize. Complimentary meal included. Volunteers must apply and meet activity director prior. Hours are 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. M76 #2211 #2212

Party assistance

• A bed facility for adults with disabilities seeks volunteers for to play bingo and socialize on Thanksgiving from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Christmas Day from 9 a.m. to noon to pass out and help residents open their presents, then play holiday bingo. Families and individuals welcome to come and share the holiday spirit. Age 18 and over. A20 #2191 #1302

• Thanksgiving party at area nursing home being held 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 23. An organization is bringing in homemade cookies. There will be wheelchair transportation needs, serving, songs, enjoying residents. A117 #2221

• Nursing home seeks volunteers to help with resident activities on a day some of the residents will be on a field trip. Help lead stretching exercises, play bingo and various activities throughout day. Come for all or part of the day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Age 16 and over. A117 #2222

• A church group will be caroling at a local nursing home to spread holiday cheer to the residents. Wheelchair transport helpers are needed to get everyone into the party room, interact, and share in the activities; 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Dec 8. Age 16 and over. A117 #2218

• Join the Social Club for special needs adults from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, for the Snowflake Ball. Also assist with setup, decorations, food table. This swinging evening will be held in Rolling Meadows. Age 16 and over. A50 #2010

• Volunteers needed to help with area nursing homes resident holiday parties - various dates. Santa Claus is needed for several parties, costume is provided. Help deliver gifts to residents. Age 16 and over. A44 #1298 A01#1295 A117 #2220

• Parent-Aid program will have a client holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 20. Volunteers can help with setup, games, serve food, distribute gifts and clean up. Provide family entertainment as a magician to make this party a lot of fun. Age 18 and over. A53 #2197

• Enjoy Breakfast with Santa for an agency serving special needs clients. 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 20, Sundays, Dec. 14 and 21. Help with the kids program, assisting in the restaurant, etc. Age 16 and over. A41 #1864

• Assist with nursing home resident family holiday brunch on Saturday, Dec 13. Volunteers needed for setup 8 a.m.to noon, brunch assistance and clean up from noon to 4 p.m. Age 16 and over. A117 #2219

Party supplies

Provide holiday party paper goods, plates, cups and napkins and food: potato chips, hot chicken, etc., and soda (four large bottles each, orange, 7-up and cola flavors) for 45 people for holiday party for seniors. All ages. A55 #2194 A01 #1625 A44 #1308

• Make holiday crafts or favors needed for a holiday party in mid December for senior citizens and the volunteers who serve them. Age 12 and over. A14 #2035

• Donations of gift bags, gift tags, tissue paper, bows and tape are needed for transitional shelter for homeless women and their children. Supplies needed for Dec. 1 through 23. All ages. A71 #1312

Serve food

• Volunteer at a holiday breakfast for individuals with developmental disabilities. Ten volunteers are needed from 7 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6; assist serving food. Age 14 and over. A25 #2024

Wrap/deliver gifts

• Wrap holiday gifts beginning the second week of December. Weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for agency serving homeless women. Special needs adults on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call to schedule a time. Age 12 and over. A71 #1317 Age 15 and older. A102 #1639 A44 #2223 A117 #2224

• Be on call to help deliver gifts to shut-in seniors' homes in Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season for agency serving the elderly. Age 18 and over. A14 #1638

• Assist area nursing home with wrapping donated gifts in preparation for delivery to residents. Prospective date is Dec. 22. Call for times. Age 15 and over. A44 #2223

Other holiday activities

• Help the homeless on Christmas Day morning by opening your restaurant in the Arlington Heights or Palatine area from 6 to 10 a.m. to host a breakfast and warm shelter before they proceed to shelter for their noontime Christmas meal. All ages. A54 #2205

• Lambs Farm Holiday Arts and Crafts Show, Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 7 in Rosemont. Various time slots. Help with concessions, coat check, and sales of food products. Volunteers receive free admission and parking. Age 16 and over. A41 #845

• Help organize and setup area thrift shop for the holidays. Six individuals needed to come in the week of Thanksgiving to get it ready to open the Friday after. Then open until the Wednesday before Christmas. Flexible shifts daily. Age 14 and over. A102 #2188

• Wonderland of Lights, featuring a 1.6 mile spectacular holiday display of lights and animated scenes. Help at heated admissions booth, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28 through Jan. 1. Age 16 and over. A20 #1591

• Assist the Mothers Against Drunk Driving program and affect your community by distributing red ribbons (Tie one on for Safety) to police departments, businesses or schools. Help call organizations to display ribbons as needed. Flexible hours. Must have valid driver's license. A114 #2207

• Any time during the holiday season, come and make crafts with the residents of a local nursing home, even after the holidays are gone. Age 16 and over. A18 #2226

• Assist an agency that supports orphans in third world countries with their year end mailing. Help put stickers on several hundred post cards. Flexible shifts on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22. Age 16 and over. A84 #2186

• All the area thrift shops need extra hands help receive, sort, price and display items. Proceeds benefit various community outreach programs. Age 15 and over. A12, A20, A71, A63