Holidays offer plenty of opportunities for those looking to help

What's the reason for the holiday season?

In a word, it's volunteering.

While retailers and consumers are usually consumed with shopping this time of year, Lyn Neuhengen, program manager for the Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago, hopes people will give of their time, talents and treasures to those in need.

"When it comes to the holidays, there is a lot of extra requests that come in," Neuhengen said.

The Volunteer Center works with 140 social agencies and services and serves the North and Northwest suburbs of Cook County, northern DuPage County and parts of Lake County. The center has a database of more than 300 volunteer opportunities with all kinds of social service outreach programs.

In the last two to three years, the center has referred 15,000 volunteers. Neuhengen said while national and state figures for people volunteering have declined, the center has seen an increase.

However, she noted with the troubled economy, the numbers seeking assistance continue to grow so more volunteers are needed.

The People's Resource Center in Wheaton has seen a huge increase in need, said Lisa Doyle, volunteer coordinator. In fact on a recent weekday, a record 121 families came in during a morning shift at its food market. The center normally serves 2,000 client families a month.

While the center has been able to maintain a pool of 860 volunteers and seen an increase in groups volunteering, Doyle says "we could always use more."

The nonprofit organization runs DuPage County's largest food pantry and clothes closet. The center needs volunteers for the food pantry, tutors for its English as a Second Language, citizenship, GED and literacy programs, mentors for its job search program, teachers for computer training, experts in computer refurbishing and volunteers for its art program.

For the holidays, the center is sponsoring a Share the Spirit Program. Teams of volunteers gathered at the DuPage County Fairgrounds this past weekend to accept unwrapped donations from the public. Families then come and choose their gifts through Wednesday. Gifts can include food and gift certificates, children's items such as books, games, puzzles, hats and mittens, and new household items ranging from blenders to dishes to pots and pans.

Those wishing to volunteer can visit the Web site at peoplesrc.org.

A special focus for the Volunteer Center of NW Suburban Chicago is its holiday adoption program where people can adopt a child, a family or a senior citizen for the holidays.

Volunteers who sign up can buy gifts anywhere from $5 up to $75. Possibilities range from a gift certificate to McDonald's to toys and clothing.

Neuhengen said the adoption program is something anyone can do.

"In the past few years, we've been able to fill those needs, but this year, it's been slow to fill," she said. "We have hundreds and hundreds who need to be adopted for the holidays."

Since the center serves such a large geographic area, opportunities exist in almost every town in the suburbs. And, it's not just limited to adults. There are volunteer opportunities geared to teens, families, individuals and groups.

"We have no restrictions," Neuhengen said. "It's about people helping people. That's what it is all about."

Can you cook or bake? A family service organization is hosting several holiday parties for clients and needs people to prepare food.

Is decorating your thing? Volunteers are being sought to help decorate Christmas trees, put up decorations and wrap gifts in nursing homes in Wheeling.

Can you carry a tune? In Rolling Meadows, Palatine, Wheeling and Arlington Heights singers are being sought to help disabled residents and the elderly get in the holiday spirit.

From drivers willing to deliver food baskets to shut-ins, to playing Santa Claus at a nursing home, to tying tags and bows around the necks of 8,000 stuffed animals as part of the Holidays Hugs program for children in hospitals, there is something for anyone wanting to give.

For more information or volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago at (847) 228-1320 or visit volunteerinfo.net.

There are even opportunities for those who can't get out to volunteer, but still want to do more than just write a check.

Ryan Hill Realty in Naperville has launched a drive to collect holiday greeting cards and letters to be sent to American soldiers, especially those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jack Persin, managing broker and president, and a Vietnam veteran, is asking that people write a note in the card or letter and address it: To An American Hero. Letters can be dropped off at the Naperville City Hall, 400 S. Eagle St., or at the realty office at 15 W. Jefferson. The deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 10.

So far, Persin said he has two very full boxes in his office with letters that have been dropped off or mailed to him.

"I just got 350 letters from 9-year-olds made out of construction paper with greetings in them and styled with the theme of An American Hero," Persin said. "It's pretty awesome."