Find a Service Project
Community Care Bags for Glencoe
The Village of Glencoe is in need of Community Care Bags, which provide necessities that individuals may need during a transitional period due to an emergency, housing insecurity, migration, mental health crisis, or domestic violence.
College Care Package Party
Join others who have students away at school for Divine Mercy's semi-annual College Care Package Party on February 7th at Noon in the Parish Center. Enjoy fellowship, share stories, put together care packs, and have fun.
Attendees are asked to bring two dozen small items that your loved one would like to receive in a care package – such as 24 small packs of candy or cookies, fun and inexpensive gadgets or trinkets, packets of hot cocoa, etc. Participants will provide their own box and send care packages on their own after the event.
We will use any extra items to create care packages for the college students from our sharing parishes.
Check back here regularly for updated opportunities!
PAST OPPORTUNITIES:
MLK Day January 15th, 2024
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
University of Chicago
4445 S. Drexel Blvd. Chicago, 60653
Join University of Chicago’s Sixth Annual King Day of Service, which brings together residents, non-profits, and institutions to support local efforts in the community. This year will focus on beautification and outreach projects at local schools and other community sites.
For those who need it, the UCSC and their campus partners are providing limited transportation service between both the Hyde Park and downtown campuses and the event kick-off location at King High School.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Blessed Sacrament Youth Center
3600 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60623
Help to create 5,000 picket signs in preparation for the prepare for the M3 Anti-Violence March on Madison as part of My-Block-My-Hood-My-City outreach. In addition to making the signs, they'll need help making phone calls and taking various other actions to support the cause. Advance registration requested via THIS LINK.
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
UCAN | A Day of Service and Remembrance
3605 W. Fillmore Street, Chicago, 60624
*Lunch will be provided
Make comfort gifts with UCAN staff and residents. UCAN organized the MLK Day of Service and Remembrance as a day of service and reflection, and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by serving others and creating change in their community. Inspired by his willingness to sacrifice, serve, and encourage solidarity UCAN stands together with our staff, family members, friends, and participants to break down the barriers to injustice and build a stronger foundation for peace.
EVANSTON
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
- Morning Sessions: 10:00 AM -1:00 PM
- Afternoon Sessions: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Volunteer opportunities for kids in 1st-4th grade:
Kids in 1st-4th grade can head over to the art garden in the children’s department of the Main Library to create chew toys for the local animal shelter, as well as cards and bookmarks for local seniors. They will also be showing a film for MLK Day, highlighting his most famous speech. Register for the MORNING or the AFTERNOON session!
Volunteer opportunities for grades 5th-12th and adults:
Join other volunteers in the Community Meeting Room, Main Branch, to help create reusable sanitary pads for the Girls 4 Girls Ghana organization during one of two sessions:
More than 20% of girls in Ghana miss school due to lack of supplies for menstrual cycles. All materials will be provided, including scissors and sewing equipment. There are a lot of jobs for everyone, but sewers are also strongly encouraged to attend! Feel free to bring your own sewing machine.
11:00 AM
First United Methodist Church, 516 Church Street
This family-friendly event has become an Evanston tradition and will kick off at 11 a.m. from First United Methodist Church. The two-mile Walk for Warmth brings volunteers together to walk a circuit of downtown Evanston churches, each of which serves as a host to the IAE Overnight Shelter. Walkers raise money through donations and sponsorships in what is an ideal project for the MLK Day of Service, honoring Dr. King’s legacy and fight for economic justice. Participation in the Walk for Warmth is open to anyone. Many of the more than 40 faith communities which comprise IAE will be assembling teams of walkers, including people of all ages. More information.
GLENVIEW
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Glenview Library’s Community Room East
1930 Glenview Road
Help spread joy and kindness this Martin Luther King Day by painting cheerful and uplifting rocks to join the Glenview Public Library’s Kindness Rock Garden, or put together blankets to help four-legged friends at a local pet shelter. The event is a drop-in and open to the public.
HIGHLAND PARK
Drive-Thru Donations: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
On-Site Activities: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Recreation Center of Highland Park
1207 Park Avenue West
This longstanding tradition in Highland Park provides a full morning of meaningful activities. Kicking off the event, the HP Police Department Honor Guard presents the colors and North Shore District 112 students lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Nancy Rotering and Park District of Highland Park Board President Terry Grossberg will address the crowd. Guests will then enjoy a speech on health equity, and then Highland Park High School musicians will add a festive flair to the day.
After all that, guests will convene within the recreation center at 1207 Park Ave West to work on a variety of charitable projects. The morning will conclude with a performance by Ravinia Festival’s Reach, Teach, Play.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF REQUESTED DONATIONS.
WILMETTE
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Woman’s Club of Wilmette, 930 Greenleaf Avenue
In support of the unhoused, the Woman’s Club Wilmette will open at 10 a.m. on Monday for volunteers to gather and make fleece blankets, and/or drop off items for comfort kits. RGC and The Woman’s Club are asking guests to pre-register and prepay for materials via this link. All items will ultimately be donated to Betsy’s Blankets, another local nonprofit that donates the blankets to those in need.
For those who prefer to work on a project at home, click on this link to register to assemble toiletry kits or to make fleece blankets for unhoused individuals. Read carefully for explicit instructions as to where to drop-off the items, prior to Jan. 16.
WINNETKA
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Community House of Winnetka, 620 Lincoln Avenue
This day of service is hosted by The Volunteer Center for all ages and abilities, and will offer hands-on service project to benefit veterans, the hospitalized, unhoused individuals, seniors, and orphaned animals.
There are no reservations required. Participants are encouraged to bring 4 yards of fleece fabric and scissors to make a blanket (there will be some kits available for purchase), and new, unworn socks for the unhoused.
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Parish Center at Sacred Heart Church, 1090 Gage Street
Join our friends at Divine Mercy Parish on Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center to create sack dinners for those who need them the most.
Volunteers will prepare 300 sack dinners. All items and supplies will be provided. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. The meals will go to A Just Harvest, our community partner serving Rogers Park. Please sign up by clicking HERE.
FROM HOME
From January 15 - January 31st
The Comfort of Your own Home
The Alumni Club of Chicago is organizing a "Love Notes Program" beginning on January 15th and running through the end of the month. Did you know that 84% of seniors who receive Meals on Wheels service report that the driver is the only person they see all day. A love note brightens their day and is a wonderful addition to their meal! We encourage you to volunteer to craft 5-10 handmade cards and send them directly to Meals on Wheels - Chicago to be included with meal delivery. Cards can be made on your own time using whatever materials you have on hand! Click HERE for further details and for mailing address.
Anytime / Ongoing
The Comfort of Your own Home
Build and send care packages to our troops! For The Troops makes it easy with their Amazon Wish List.
A Just Harvest
Divine Mercy, Christmas Giving Tree
Feed My Starving Children
Fill a Heart for Kids
Helping the Homeless Around Chicagoland
Uncle Pete's Ministry