Get involved!

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 older, call Retired and 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.

Blood drive and related services

• Help with one-day blood drives held a area places of business or schools - greet and register donors, serve refreshments, watch for adverse reactions, etc. Age 18 and older #1462

Board of directors

• For human service organization serving children and adults who are developmentally disabled. Expertise in; fundraising, public relations, marketing, legal areas, strategic planning, management skills or Real Estate. Third Wednesday, 4:30 - 6 p.m. Age 21 and older. #880

Child Care

• Assist with child care for our parent classes for 2 1/2 hours weekly in the evening for 7 weeks at a time. Commit to once a week for the 7 weeks. Age 16 and older #1223

• Plan and implement structured program and activities -- games, crafts and educational lessons for children, first and third Friday mornings. Materials andtraining provided. Must have Associate or Bachelor Degree. Bi-lingual a plus. Age 55 and older #1596

Children's Activities

• Play with special needs children, 3 to 7 years of age; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Activities include swimming, crafts, fine motor skills and playground activities. Age 14 and older #1543

Citizenship Program

• Teacher assistants for citizenship classes, three locations, 11 weeks, to help students do

mock interviews and prepare students for history and government questions. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 7 - 9:30 p.m., Saturday, 9-11:30 a.m. Age 18 and older #1576

Clerical/Office Help

• Help provide office support by answering phones and doing light typing for area social services agency. Age 18 and older #1441

• Greet and direct incoming clients to proper service area at busy social benefits office. Shifts are 8:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. or 12:30-4 p.m. any day Monday through Friday. Age 55 and older #1546

Computer/Data Entry

• Help a social service agency deliver its messages to the community with your graphic design and public relations skills, from redesigning brochures to ongoing involvement. You may join the committee or choose to work on individual projects. Age 18 and older #1179

Conservation/Nature Centers

• Help with trail maintenance, seed collecting, planting projects, grounds clean-up or weed removal, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., fourth Saturday of the month, in Schaumburg area. Age 16 and older. #1162

Disaster Relief

• Join the Mass Care Response Team and respond to disasters by providing shelter

operations, mass feeding and bulk distribution of supplies; 4-8 hours per month required. Training provided. Community disaster responders also needed. Age 21 and older #518

Drop-In Youth Centers

• Teen Center volunteers for area drop-in centers, Monday through Friday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Assist staff with supervision, encouragement and support. Flexible schedule, training provided and a commitment of 4 months required. Age 17 and older #798

Food Pantry

• Driver with a van or other large vehicle who is capable of heavy lifting to pick up and

transport food donations from various local sites to the pantry. Flexible hours, approximately five hours per week. Age 18 and older #2091

Fund-Raising Projects

• Agency serving developmentally disabled adults seeking experienced person to facilitate with the planning, publicity, and marketing of direct mail. Will work with your schedule. Age 18 and older #819

Hospice/Respite

• Learn how to help and support newly widowed people in your community. Looking for male, female, and bi-lingual volunteers. Saturday and weekday evening training provided. Age 21 and

older #92

Library

• Organize and maintain a small library and resource center at hospital's day care center. You will also read stories to children under the supervision of a day care teacher. Librarian experience and good organizational skills needed. Age 55 and older. #2044

Maintenance

• Assisting with maintenance of group homes in Northwest suburbs. Painting the interiors of a two-story group home to providing curb appeal (landscaping), replacing screens, remodeling kitchen or bathrooms, plus much more. Age 21 and older .#1922

Mentally and/or Physically Challenged

• Organization serving developmentally disabled adults is in need of drivers to take clients to special social events in the evenings and on weekends. Also looking for companion volunteers to share their interests with clients. Age 21 and older #686

• Reading instructors, activity aide and specialty instructors in the area of exercise and nutrition needed for agency serving children and adults who are developmentally disabled. Age 18 and older #111

One Time Events

• Lambs Farm is in need of volunteers to help with their special events and picnics throughout the year. Age 14 and older #1170

• Guardian Casino Night to be held from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sept. 13, in Palatine to benefit disabled clients. Volunteers are needed to deal Blackjack/poker, work games tables, bartend, serve food/drinks, sell pulltabs and raffle tickets. Age 18 and older. #781

Receptionist/Hospitality

• Ongoing telephone/reception positions Monday through Friday, morning or afternoons for an organization that serves area seniors. Must have good phone skills and basic clerical skills. Will work with your schedule. Training will be provided. Age 21 and older #1367

• Reception desk help needed at social service agency, 9-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Answer phones, make reassurance calls to homebound and assist with general office duties.

Help make reassurance calls to homebound 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Age 16 and older #135

Senior Centers

• Seeking new senior health insurance program to serve Niles residents. Training is scheduled by AARP and five days in length. Age 55 and older #782

• Help prepare lunch for groups attending Thursday Bingo and cards, 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursdays. Age 21 and older #497

Senior Citizens Assistance

• AARP Tax aide. Provide tax counseling and tax form preparation assistance to low income seniors (age 60 and older) according to the guidelines established between the IRS and AARP Foundation. Program runs Feb. 1 through April 15. Training provided. Age 21 and older #2103

Shoppers for Shut-Ins

• Shop for groceries and other necessities or pick up a list and money and do the shopping for them or with a client. Age 18 and older #1281

Special Skills Volunteer

• Experienced accountant or bookkeeper to assist staff in accounting department for achildren's museum. Flexible hours for 1 to 2 days a week. Age 25 and older #1690

• Be on speakers bureau to represent child welfare agency at exhibits, presentations and fairs. Age 18 and older #83

Thrift Shops/Gift Shops/Resale Shops

• Cashier needed for Garden Café at local nursing home. Age 16 and older #172

Transportation Services

• Looking for friendly, patient volunteers to drive area seniors to doctor and dental appointments. Must have excellent driving skills. Drivers needed especially in Schaumburg and Des Plaines Age 21 and older. #1793.