News

Get involved!

Posted January 16, 2008 10:00 pm

For more opportunities, see the Volunteer Center Web site, www.volunteerinfo.net.

You can make a difference and help the community in which you live and work. The Volunteer Center has hundreds of opportunities; listed here is a sampling. Call the Center's Agency/School Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1320 or if your are age 55 or over, call Retired Senior Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1006. The code at the end of each item is used to match volunteers with agencies; have the code ready when you call.

Citizenship program

bull; Help an elderly immigrant prepare for citizenship exam on U.S. history and government. Practice for in-person interview with and immigration officer. One-on-one tutoring for 15 weeks. Tutors must be bilingual; Russian/Polish/Spanish and English. Age 55 over #1916

Clerical/office help

bull; Hospice organization seeks help with clerical and organizational skills. Office is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., we will work with your schedule. Training provided. Age 18 over #39

bull; Do you have a few free hours during the day to assist with filing and organizing paperwork for an organization serving developmentally disabled adults and children. Commit to one or two days a week for two to four hours. Age 21 over #1675

Computer/data entry

bull; Database data entry, Word and Excel, skills needed for an organization that provides church homes for orphans and widows in Third World countries. Office is open from 9 to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, commit to three or more hours per week. Age 18 over #1549

Disaster relief

bull; Volunteer health professionals are needed on Palatine's Medical Reserve Corp. Volunteers will be assisting local first responders during a disaster and be available resource to help the community with public health needs. Various committees are available. Age 18 over #2061

Food pantry

bull; Food pantry volunteer to sort, shelve, and box food for township residents. Position requires some physical work. Extremely flexible day and times available, approximately three to four hours a week. Age 55 over #1993

Fundraising projects

bull; Area agency serving the elderly and disabled in need of a volunteer to research fundraising projects on the Internet. You must be comfortable searching on the Net, this project may be done at home. Age 18 over #1671

Homeless

bull; Eighteen shelter sites are open one night per week, October-April. Trained volunteers needed to help set-up, check-in guests, serve dinner, oversee site, etc. Second- and third-shift workers are needed in Northwest suburbs. Training to begin in September. Age 16 over #808

Hospital volunteers

bull; Greet and register family members. Act as liaison for family and hospital staff. Track and monitor patients through surgery process and communicate updates to family members. Provide coffee, maintain clean and safe environment. Four hours per shift. Age 55 over #1951

Library

bull; Cancer Resource Center needs volunteers to catalog new and returning books on a as needed basis. Flexible weekday schedule, morning or afternoons. Age 17 over #2022

Literacy programs

bull; We are searching for that most valuable of resources -- tutors. Work one-on-one with a middle school or high school student from 3 to 5 p.m. with English, math, social studies or science. Commit to one or more days a week for one semester, one school year. Age 18 over #1557

Maintenance

bull; Looking for a few "Snow Angels" to shovel sidewalks for seniors and person with disabilities in the Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates area. Age 16 over #2040

Meals on Wheels

bull; Arlington Heights drivers needed during the noon hours to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins and the disabled. Weekdays for 1 to 1#189; hours. Substitute drivers also needed to cover a daily drivers route when on vacation or ill. Age 18 over #1269

Mentally and/or physically challenged

bull; Share your dancing talent with individuals with special needs in Northbrook. Join the fun on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. Age 18 over #1985

bull; Kirk Kids on the Go. This after-school and Saturday morning program is an outings program for all age students. Join the fun by accompanying the students with special needs and staff for activities and different trips into the community. Age 14 over #1502

Nursing homes

bull; Assist a local senior residential community. Needs are entertainers, lunch meal service support, storytellers/readers, assist with outing, seamstress, moms and children to start a play group or individual visits, or newsletter helper. Orientation dates TBA. Age 14 over #128

One-time events

bull; Parent's Night Out, 6 to 9 p.m., second Friday of each month in Rolling Meadows. Join the staff in fun activities with special needs children and their siblings to give parent's a short break from care giving. Age 14 over #779

bull; Urgent need for baby formula for needy families. Powered formulas; Similac with iron, or Enfamil Lipil with iron are the preferred brands to be donated by Jan. 22. Monetary donations will be accepted to purchase the formulas. Age all ages #2058

bull; Gear up for a great day. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18, with special needs children. Assist activities at the nature center, live the day as a pirate, fun at the arcade, or make your own pizza at Barnaby's. Swimming and lunch following each activity. Age 14 over #871

bull; Friends Wine Tasting Art Auction, 5 p.m. to midnight Feb. 23 in Hoffman Estates. Assist with auction tables, art exhibits, sell raffle tickets and other tasks for agency serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. Age 21 over #883

bull; Special Olympics District Aquatics Meet, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 8, Barrington High School. Assist with set-up, check-in, team hosts, bullpen, lane assistants, escorts, awards, results runners, concessions and souvenirs. Must stay for full day. Age 14 over #894

Receptionist/ hospitality

bull; Looking for personable and friendly people with light clerical skills to answer phone, greet people and take appointments. Bulk mailing also available. Flexible 2#189; hour shifts, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Age 17 over #1213

Senior centers

bull; Tired of shopping? Like to play bingo? Put your skills to use and be a bingo caller for senior citizen events in Hoffman Estates. Must have a strong voice and enjoy the game of bingo. Age 21 over #1748

Senior friendly visitors

bull; Elderly male client in Schaumburg needs dependable and caring man to visit weekly in his home to relieve isolation and have some interesting conversation. Willing to work with your schedule. Age 50 over #1708

Shelters for women and children

bull; Do you like to shop? The Safe House manager needs ongoing assistance with picking up donations and purchasing items from the grocery store or other merchandise stores. Resource coordinator will work with volunteer for a weekly schedule. Age 18 over #1762

Shoppers for shut-ins

bull; Elderly ladies in Schaumburg and Elk Grove area senior apartments are in need of help with shopping and errands. Are you willing to become a helper to one or two seniors? Age 16 over #1706

Special skills volunteer

Thrift/gift/ resale shops

bull; Cashier needed for Garden Cafe at local nursing home. Age 16 over #172

Transportation services

bull; Deliver brochures to area doctor's offices with information from the Crohn's Colitis Foundation. Flexible weekday schedule, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Age 21 over #596

Tutoring

bull; Can you spare a little time to help a child. Tutors for local elementary school to work with classroom teacher. One hour a week or more can make a difference. Volunteers needed for the school year. Age 55 over #1569