Get involved! Volunteer opportunities abundant

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. For more opportunities, see the Volunteer Center Web site, www.volunteerinfo.net, call the Center's Agency/School Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1320 or if your are age 55 or older, 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.

Cancer societies

• Wanted: people with heart who are willing to alphabetize and file information for an agency that provides support to siblings of children with cancer. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commit to four hours per day or one full day. Please help! Age 14 & older #1746

Child care

• Engage in activities with special needs children and their siblings while their parents attend a program/networking group, 6:30 to 9 p.m. first Friday of the month Age 14 & older #2053

Children's activities

• Rock and play with babies, interact with pre-school children with games, stories, enrich teacher's planned activities at this child care and early learning center for infants to kindergarten, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Age 55 & older #1669

Clerical/office help

• Remember how much you liked to play administrative assistant? Youth and Family Services agency is in need of a office clerical assistant. Assist with filing, copying, possible basic word processing and proof reading. Commit to five to 10 hours a week. Age 18 & older #1358

Computer/data entry

• Data entry operator needed 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Commitment of four hours per week. Must be detail oriented, computer literacy helpful. Must be able to work independently, accuracy is extremely important and have a minimum of high school diploma. Age 18 & older #445

Conservation/nature

• Be a part of history, volunteer at an 1880's historic farm in Schaumburg. Greet visitors, take part in farm chores and interpret historic farming activities and lifestyles. Commitment is seven hours per month April-October. Training provided quarterly. Age 18 & older #741

Disaster relief

• 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 & older #2061

Food pantry

• Sort and organize food pantry, for self help agency, on ongoing basis. Pantry is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Age 14 & older #73

Fundraising projects

• Join the fun and walk/run for abused and neglected children starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Busse Woods. Volunteers can help with water stations, registration, marshals and more. Age 14 & older #2067

• You are the key to our success. "Poker Run," 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug 24, starting point at Jesse Oak's in Gages Lake. Assist with registration, game tables, hospitality, etc. Three shifts available; one-hour training in Rolling Meadows. Age 18 & older #1177

Hospice/respite

• Provide respite to caregivers, friendly visits, homemaker assistance to patients in their homes or long term facilities, also follow-up contact to bereaved, days, evenings or weekends. Training provided. Bilingual volunteers needed. Age 18 & older #273

• Make the end of life a time filled with comfort and kindness. Caring, empathic volunteers to work with terminally ill patients and families. Friendly visits, reading, walking or striking up a conversation with patients. Training provided. Age 55 & older #1500

Hospital volunteers

• Hospital assistance needed in all areas; mail distribution, wheelchair transport, same day surgery, admitting, lobby info desk, physician office reception. Four-hour shifts, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Age 18 & older #558

Maintenance

• Assist with window washing, yard clean-up, painting buildings, etc. for agency serving special needs children and adults. Age 16 & older #1553

• If organization is your game, extra hands are needed to help tidy up the storeroom and their vans at a agency for special needs children and adults. Age 14 & older #2004

Meals on Wheels

• Palatine drivers needed during the noon hours to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins and the disabled. Weekdays for 1 to 1½ hours. Age 18 & older #1274

Mentally and/or physically challenged

• An agency with adult development disabilities need volunteers to research placement of literature in local businesses and to stock literature displays. Age 18 & older #2081

Nursing homes

• Small variety shop in retirement community is looking for an individual who would like to increase sales merchandise and increase hours of operation. Opportunity to create a new exciting on-property shop for residents. Age 55 & older #2096

One time events

• Special Olympics Spring Games, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 4 at Prospect High School. Assist with running & field events, lunch, souvenirs, awards, chaperones, set-up, clean-up, etc. Great opportunity for individuals or large groups. Age 14 & older #897

• You are the key to our success. "Poker Run," 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug 24, starting point at Jesse Oak's in Gages Lake. Assist with registration, game tables, hospitality, etc. Three shifts available; one-hour training in Rolling Meadows. Age 18 & older #1177

• Do you believe in magic? "Jelly Belly" Days, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., May 16 & 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 17. Join a team to help collect donations, for special needs clients, at businesses in two-hour shifts throughout Northwest suburbs. Age under 16 w/parent #1453

Receptionist/hospitality

• Looking for personable and friendly people with light clerical skills to answer phone, greet people and take appointments. Bulk mailing also available. Flexible 2½ hour shifts, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Age 17 & older #1213

Senior centers

• Computer skilled volunteers to work with Niles area seniors teaching and coaching on Word and Excel. Flexible days and hours. Age 55 & older #783

Senior citizens assistance

• Affordable Housing Advocate service agency seeks volunteer to represent housing program to residents and civic leaders. Must be willing to work with housing counselor in the office & in the field. Flexible schedule. Age 30 & older #1829

Senior friendly visitors

• 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. Good listening and conversation skills desirable. Age 16 & older #1968

Shelters for women and children

• With the cold winter months approaching, a counseling center for pregnant women are in urgent need for coats infants and children sizes through 8. New or gently used would be appreciated. Age 10 & older #2026

Telephone hotlines

• Provide telephone hotline crisis counseling and information/referrals for sexual assault/abuse survivors and families. Six-hour shifts. Forty-hour training required. Next training will be held in April 2008. Age 18 & older #1992

Thrift/gift/resale shops

• Need a few strong men to help at thrift shop with donation pick-ups and lifting. Flexible days and times. Help in the thrift shop needed on Tuesdays days and evenings, Thursdays evenings, Saturdays, 9 30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Age 16 & older #638

• Many hands needed to sort, hang, price and work with customers, etc. at a Resale Shop serving individuals and families in crisis. Store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday Age 18 & older #1763

Transportation services

• Help transport cancer patients to treatment for their Road to Recovery Program. Volunteers are called on an "as needed" basis. Great opportunity for retirees, stay at home moms and dads or part-timers. Age 21 & older #824