Volunteer
Giving back to your community helps organizations, but research has shown that it also helps individuals feel good about themselves. Volunteering doesn’t have to be an ongoing commitment or for a lot of hours. Helping out at a special event or donating one or two hours a month can make a difference.
Volunteer near Champaign
Volunteer near Chicago
Volunteer near Galesburg
Volunteer near Springfield
Champaign Area
Champaign County Humane Society Open Orientation sessions for anyone interested in the CCHS Adult Volunteer Program are held monthly. Check the calendar on their site or email 2.volunteer@cuhumane.org for the location, date, and time. During the orientation you will learn about CCHS and the many ways that volunteers help the organization. At the end of the meeting, you’ll have an opportunity to speak with CCHS staff members and sign up for your first shelter tour & training session at CCHS. Because it takes time and resources to train new volunteers, CCHS asks that volunteers be prepared to commit to a minimum of 4 months of service.
Champaign County Health Care Consumers There are many different ways to volunteer at CCHCC. A few different types of volunteer opportunities are: volunteer advocates to assist with the Consumer Health Hotline, the Dental Referral Program, and the Medicare 100/Plus Program; Campaign & Task Force Organizing including contacting elected officials, gathering petition signatures, conducting research, carrying out community education and outreach activities, as well as planning events; Office Support; other needs such as Spanish speaking individuals. Download a volunteer application here.
Wesley Evening Food Pantry Volunteers of any age are welcome, from teenagers to seniors. Although the food pantry operates in a church, individuals of any faith are welcome. (In fact, most volunteers are from outside the church.) Disabilities won’t keep you from finding a role. You can shop for food yourself and also volunteer. Training is required if you want to help during distribution. Training is not required for those helping unload the truck, setup, or cleanup. Individuals who want to volunteer or schedule training, sign up online. Contact volunteer@wesleypantry.org with questions. Groups, please read Group Volunteering at Wesley, then contact info@wesleypantry.org to sign up.
Chicago Area
StreetWise Help Chicago area men and women facing homelessness achieve personal stability. Volunteers are needed to help with events including the Annual Fundraising Auction & Gala, Thanksgiving Meal, December Holiday Meal, the Vendor Summer Picnic, and Young Professionals Fundraising Events (A variety of time commitments, varying from a single day to six month projects.); organizational support for one or more of the following: Streetwise Café, the Clothes Closet, Facility Improvement, Administrative Support, and PR & Awareness (A good fit for those willing to donate a few hours per week or per month.); serve as a tutor for teaching computer skills, resume building, job search assistance, and/or legal assistance (A good fit for those willing to donate a few hours per week or per month.). Click here to be taken to the volunteer application.
Galesburg Area
Habitat For Humanity Knox County Habitat for Humanity volunteer opportunities are more than just hammers and nails. Volunteers work behind the scenes too. Volunteers are needed for the following committees: Family Selection, Family Support, Site Selection, and Construction. Click here for a description of each committee or contact them at (309)343-2242 or email Jordan Knight.
Springfield Area
Animal Protective League APL offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, with new programs being added all the time. Here are just a few of the things you can do: walk dogs, socialize cats and kittens, clean dog kennels and cat loft, greet customers in office, assist customers in the Re-Tail Center, make presentations to school children, take animals to visit nursing homes, take dogs to school as part of the Sit, Stay, Read program, bake or make crafts, sell candy or calendars, haul donations, take animals to offsite adoptions, provide short-term foster care for animals, plant flowers, pull weeds and mow grass, or answer phones and assist with office work. Contact volunteer@apl-shelter.org
Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center The Garden is always looking for people who want to volunteer their time and talent in one of the following areas: Volunteer Naturalists, Hosts/Hostesses, Special Events, and Grounds. Also, if you have a special skill that the Garden may be able to use, let them know. People with carpentry, plumbing, electrical, woodworking or mechanical ability are needed. Professional assistance such as legal, accounting and graphic design is needed on occasion. Learn details and find the application form.
PACE, Inc. Center for Independent Living Volunteer jobs vary from being on the board of directors to folding and collating mailings: Accessibility Surveyors (will train), Adaptive Cooking Teacher, Cartoonist, Companion, Computer Braille Producer, Computer Operator, Copier Operator, Displays or Booths Person , Driver, Files Organizer, Flyer Distributor, Graphic Artist, Housekeeper, Library Assistant (will train), Low Vision Fair Assistant. More information and volunteer opportunities here.