Volunteer opportunities abound

If you are looking for ways to help a family in need this holiday season, there are several places taking donations of new and gently worn winter wear for adults, children and infants.

The Dundee Township Public Library is accepting new mittens and outerwear for its annual Mitten Drive, which benefits the FISH Food Pantry and the Elgin Crisis Center. You can drop off items at the Children's Desk of the library at 555 Barrington Ave in East Dundee.

There is also a drop box for winter coats and accessories at the Village of Carpentersville Village Hall. The village hall is located at 1200 LW Besinger Drive in Carpentersville.

In addition to donations, volunteers are also needed to serve on a list of committees and groups in Carpentersville. The village is looking for members to fill out the planning and zoning commission. The appointment is for a five-year term. The commission generally meets once a month to discuss development-related issues. In some instances the planning and zoning commission makes final determinations, while in other cases the commission makes recommendations to the village board.

Those interested can send a letter of interest to Village Manager Craig Anderson at 1200 LW Besinger Drive, Carpentersville, 60110 no later than December 31.

Volunteers are always appreciated for the village's Carpentersville Improvement Committee, which helps homeowners who need assistance to complete tasks such as house painting, gutter cleaning and yard work. The committee is working on organizing its 2010 Paint-a-thon, which benefited from the help of dozens of volunteers for its inaugural house painting marathon this past summer.

For more information on how to apply for one of the listed volunteer opportunities, call Village Manager Craig Anderson at (847) 551-3475.

The Dundee Township Library is also looking for a part-time circulation desk assistant to work 10 hours per week. Responsibilities include patron services of checking materials in and out, issuing library cards and noting fines and fees. The hours are 3:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Applications can be found at dundeelinrary.info or at the library, located at 555 Barrington Ave, East Dundee. A high school diploma is required and Spanish-speaking skills are a plus.