Get involved!

You can make a difference and help benefit the community where you live and work. The Volunteer Center has hundreds of opportunities; listed here is a sampling. Call the Center at (847) 228-1320 or visit volunteerinfo.net. The code at the end of each item is used to match volunteers with agencies; have the code ready when you call.

Alzheimer's/Related Disorders

Patient, compassionate person to work with memory-loss clients in a social group setting. Assist with arts and crafts, play games, have lunch and interact with clients. Fun and fulfilling. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Age 18 and older #452

Animals

We are looking for a certified, trained therapy dog to visit with developmentally disabled adults, Monday or Thursdays between 10 and 2 p.m., one to two hours. Age 25 and older #1510

Blood Drive and Related Services

Help harness and direct the outpouring and concern of donors who are eager to help patients in need of a bone-marrow transplant. Monthly blood drives are held throughout the Northwest suburbs and the Chicago area. Flexible dates and times. Age 18 and older #2065

Bulk Mailers

Help organize and stuff mailers for organization that provides church homes for orphans and widows in third world countries. 10 hours per month from 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 8 to 5 p.m., Friday. Be involved with new projects and share ideas. Age 18 and older #1655

Cancer Societies

Ongoing project of assembling mailers for organization that provides support to siblings of children with cancer. Assemble welcome kits, fold tee shirts and bandannas, trophy mailings, etc. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and the third Wednesday of month 6-9 p.m. Age 12 and older #1744

Children's Activities

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

Citizenship Program

Conduct detailed interviews with immigrants who have already been scheduled for their citizenship interviews. Provide feedback for improvement and help build client's self-confidence. Flexible

schedule. Training provided. Age 55 and older #1917

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

Clerical/Office Help

Assist administrative staff in a large nursing facility with variety of office work. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., weekdays. Age 55 and older #51

Provide office support including typing, data input, filing, collating, assisting with mailings and reception work. This can be an occasional or continuous commitment. Willing to work with your schedule. Weekday need only. Age 16 and older #1438

Conservation/Nature Centers

Serve nature center visitors and public groups with educational program as a docent. Training provided, dates and times vary. Age 55 and older #1688

Assist ground staff with restoring of native prairie, oak savannah, march and riparian woodlands. First and third Fridays of month 2-5 p.m. or fourth Saturday of the month 8:30-11:30 a.m. Age 55 and older #1686

Fundraising Projects

Donation of books are needed to support an organization that supports children and adults with mental and physical challenges. The books will be sold at the Brandeis Book Sale held in June 2008. Volunteer are also needed to sort books, weekdays. Age 18 and older #2021

Hospice/Respite

Provide clerical support, file, input data, complete mailings, assemble informational packets or just about anything else needing done for this hospice organization. Orientation and confidentiality releases are required. Weekly, flexible hours. Age 55 and older #2100

Library

A collection 300 books on volunteer management, fundraising, etc., is in need of reorganization. Basic library organization skills would be helpful to reshelve, index, and catalog all the books. Flexible schedule weekdays Monday through Thursday. Age 18 and older #2125

Literacy Programs

Help lead a beginners' English class, 9-11 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays; 6-8 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Must speak fluent English, no degree required, on the job training. Age 20 and older #1247

Meals on Wheels Programs

Palatine drivers needed during the noon hours to deliver meals to elderly shut-ins and the disabled. Weekdays for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Age 18 and older #1274

Elk Grove and Schaumburg Townships in desperate need of drivers during the noon hours to deliver seven to nine meals to elderly shut-ins and the disabled. Weekdays for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Substitute drivers on all routes also needed. Age 21 and older #1273

One Time Events

Community Paint a thon volunteers are needed on Sept. 6; rain date Sept. 13. Individuals or groups paint the homes of seniors and disabled in the NW suburbs. All supplies provided. Call for details. Age 14 and older #1535

A local park district needs volunteers during a Triathlon Event 5:45-7:45 a.m., June 29 in Palatine to help watch the swimmers in the lake during the competition. Age 18 and older #2126

Receptionist/Hospitality

Help provide a welcome to convention attendees located at O'Hare terminals and Midway, 2-6 p.m., Sunday through Friday and 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday. Parking will be validated. Age 18 and older #503

Senior Centers

Area Senior Center Men's Club is looking for a program manager to identify and schedule speakers for the third Tuesday of every month. Age 55 and older #1831

Senior Friendly Visitors

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 and older #1708

Help brighten someone's day by providing a couple of hours of companionship weekly or monthly to a senior. Good listening and conversation skills desirable. Age 18 and older #1284

Share some of your time with eager resident at nursing home. Activity assistant for walks with residents, puzzles, sing-a-long and outings Morning, afternoon and evening hours available. Age

Shelters for Women and Children

Help the domestic violence coordinator relocate, check, and organize donated items for the Safe House. Items include clothing, food items, paper and cleaning products, etc. Volunteers may need to pick up items at other sites. Age 18 and older #1759

Thrift Shops/Gift Shops/Resale Shops

Assist shoppers, blow up balloons, answer phones, shelve supplies, operate cash register, and credit card machine in hospital gift shop. Monday through Friday, 3-9 p.m. Age 55 and older #625

Captains and workers for area thrift shop; three-hour shifts: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-4 p.m., or 4-7 p.m., Monday through Friday; especially 1- 4 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Saturdays. Strong men are also needed for furniture pickup. Age 14 and older #174

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 and older #824

Transport blood products to area hospitals using company vehicles. Monday through Saturday, day or evening hours, four hours per week. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and have a clean driving record. Age 18 and older #184