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.

Party Assistance

• A bed facility for adults with disabilities seeks volunteers to play bingo and socialize on Christmas Day from 9 a.m. to noon to pass out and help residents open their presents, then play Holiday bingo. Families and individuals welcome to come and share the holiday spirit. Age 18 and over. A20 #2191 #1302

• Nursing home seeks volunteers to help with resident activities on a day some of the residents will be on a field trip - help lead stretching exercises, play bingo and various activities throughout day - come for all or part of the day, 9:00-4:00. Age 16 and over. A117 #2222

• Volunteers needed to help with area nursing homes resident holiday parties; various dates. Santa Claus is needed for several parties, costume is provided. Help deliver gifts to residents. Age 16 and over. A44 #1298 A01#1295 A117 #2220

• Parent-Aid program will have a client holiday party on Dec. 20. Volunteers can help with set up, games, serve food, distribute gifts and clean up. Provide family entertainment or a magician to make this party a lot of fun. Age 18 and over. A53 #2197

• Enjoy Breakfast with Santa for an agency serving special needs clients. 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 21. Have fun helping with the kids program, assisting in the restaurant, etc. Age 16 and over. A41 #1864

Party Supplies

• Provide holiday party paper goods, plates, cups and napkins and food: potato chips, hot chicken, etc., and soda (four large bottles each, orange, 7-up and cola flavors) for 45 people for holiday party for seniors. All ages. A55 #2194 A01 #1625 A44 #1308

• Use your creative talents to make holiday crafts or favors needed for a holiday party in mid December for senior citizens and the volunteers who serve them. Age 12 and over. A14 #2035

• Donations of gift bags (various sizes), gift tags, tissue paper, bows and tape are needed for transitional shelter for homeless women and their children. Supplies needed for Dec. 1 through 23. All ages. A71 #1312

Adopt-an-Individual or Family

• Adopt senior families in Palatine Township for the holidays. Wrap and deliver gifts by Dec. 15; call for lists and details. Also need 10 gift certificates for needy seniors to Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart, Jewel, Dominick's, etc., value up to $25. All ages. A55 #2051

• Help the homeless by planning a clothing and gift certificate drive. We are looking for men's and women's underwear, socks and jeans all sizes. Toiletries and gift certificates to any type of fast food restaurant or discount store. Age 10 and over. A54 #1783

• Remember the elderly in an area nursing home during the holiday season. Donate gifts such as new 5x7 picture frames, small lap blankets, gift certificates to Wal-Mart, Target, sweaters or zipper sweatshirts - M, L, XL. All ages A01 #1329 A44 #1340 A14 #1610 A39 #1613

• Adopt-A-Family or child from youth and family services program or for agency serving homeless women and their children supply gift certificates for the youth mentoring program. Call for details on family or child. All ages. A71 #1349, A14 #2190, A70 #1330, A63 #2202

• Support the City of Des Plaines Mitten Tree by donating new hats, mittens, gloves and scarves for children/adults. Donate yourself or run a drive among friends or co-workers. Collection runs through Dec. 12, various drop-off sites. All ages. A19 #1353

• Spread holiday cheer by providing gifts to area disabled adults; many do not have a family. Also seeking holiday gifts of $5 to $10 and gift certificates to McDonald's, Wal-Mart and Target, etc. Any level of donations is appreciated; over 360 clients to cover. Call for details and specific wish list. All ages. A25 #1869 #1835 A20 #2227

• Donate baby items such as car seats, diapers and formulas for clients of the Family Preservation program. Gift certificates to Jewel and Target along with bus passes are also beneficial to clients during these difficult economic times. All ages. A53 #2199

• Assist an agency that supports families in crisis by providing holiday gifts for needy children (suggest $50 to $75 per child), specific names and lists available. Deliver by Dec. 17, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Age 10 and over. A12 #1874

• Emergency Boys Group Home needs six sets of new bedding (sheets and comforters) twin size needed. All ages. A63 #2203

Crafts, Favors and Decorations

• Bring the Christmas spirit to area shelters that provide support for homeless women and their children. Donation of nine small artificial Christmas trees, lights and ornaments will help to brighten their holidays. All ages. A71 #2204

• Nursing home seeks volunteers to take down holiday decorations, Wednesday, Jan. 7 (outside) and Thursday, Jan. 8 (inside) A 117 #2225

Food Donations

• Help us make our volunteers feel extra special by providing food for an open house to thank them for all they do for the homeless at area shelters. Call for details and dates. All ages. A54 #2201

• Assist your community by participating in a food drive for the holiday season. A local transitional women's shelter and The Girls' After School Program will be collecting canned goods and non perishable foods until Dec. 17. Gift cards to local grocery stores are also welcome. All ages. A53 #2196 A71 # 1651

• Provide holiday party paper goods, plates, cups and napkins and food: potato chips, hot chicken, etc., and soda (four large bottles each, orange, 7-up and cola flavors) for 45 people for holiday party. All ages. A55 #2194

• Help supply turkey dinners for residential homes of six people with developmental disabilities. Various dates are available in December for holiday parties. Age 14 and over. A25 #2029

• Family service organization will host several holiday parties for their clients. Food donations such as homemade lasagna, pasta, salads and desserts are needed. All ages. A53 #2198

• Help collect non perishable food and personal care items for an agency that serves over 500,000 meals annually to low-income people impacted by HIV/AIDS. Lists provided. Great project for groups! A104 #1802

Friendly Visitors and Entertainment

• Provide entertainment for the holidays or be a friendly visitor anytime at a local nursing home. Open to all ages. A44 and A01 #1326 and #1324

• Bring music and melody to disabled residents. Come and sing holiday songs any time on Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 8 p.m. in December. Groups of six people minimum. Age 18 and over. A20 #1325

• Agency serving the developmental disabled is looking for groups or individuals to entertain during the holiday season anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Northbrook. Age 18 and over. A25 #1843

Other Holiday Activities

• Help the homeless on Christmas Day morning by opening your restaurant in the Arlington Heights or Palatine area from 6 to 10 a.m. to host a breakfast and warm shelter before they proceed to shelter for their noontime Christmas meal. All ages. A54 #2205

• Wonderland of Lights, featuring a 1.6 mile spectacular holiday display of lights and animated scenes. Help at heated admissions booth, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday through Jan. 1. Age 16 and over. A20 #1591

• Assist the Mothers Against Drunk Driving program and affect your community by distributing red ribbons (Tie one on for Safety) to police departments, businesses or schools. Help calling organizations to display ribbons as needed. Flexible hours. Must have valid driver's license. A114 #2207

• Any time during the holiday season, come and make crafts with the residents of a local nursing home, even after the holidays have come and passed. Age 16 and over. A18 #2226

• All the area thrift shops become extremely busy during the holiday season. Extra hands help receive, sort, price and display items. Proceeds benefit various community outreach programs. Age 15 and over. A12, A20, A71, A63

Wrap/Deliver Gifts

• Wrap holiday gifts beginning the second week of December; weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for agency serving homeless women and their children, and special needs adults on Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call to schedule a time. Age 15 and older. A44 #2223 A117 #2224

• Be on call to help deliver gifts to shut-in seniors' homes in Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines during the Christmas season for agency serving the elderly. Age 18 and over. A14 #1638

• Assist area nursing home with wrapping donated gifts in preparation for delivery to residents. Prospective date is Monday, Dec. 22. Call for times. Age 15 and over. A44 #2223