last updated 1/18/10   What's New? “Yon Lot Ayiti” ~ to a new Haiti  PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Aid organizations need your assistance in Haiti but warn that well-intentioned efforts like collecting bottled water and clothing on your own may not be the most helpful thing for a disaster-ravaged country that does not have the infrastructure to distribute them. Some tips from InterAction, a coalition of U.S.-based international non-governmental organizations: • Donating cash to established relief organizations is the best way to help because it allows professionals to get exactly what they need. • If you decide to donate supplies and not cash, contact an established relief organization before you collect anything. • People who want to volunteer should have previous disaster or international experience or technical skills and should work through a relief organization. • Be careful of scams. The Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to help Americans decide where to direct donations: • Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. • Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims. • Be cautious when giving online, especially in response to spam messages and e-mails that claim to link to a relief organization. • Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas. ·         Consult charitynavigator.org before donating for quake relied to any charity you aren’t knowledgeable about. This site evaluates charities and rates the job they do.   Following is a compliation of information, organizations and businesses that can help you provide care for the victims of Haiti’s earthquake.  Lake County Cares will continually update this information as more is collected.   Bright Hope International A Hoffman Estates-based charity is working with Feed My Starving Children, a group that packs and sends meals to impoverished countries like Haiti.  One of the organization’s four permanent packing centers is in Aurora.  They are looking for daytime volunteers to fill meal-making slots.  Go to www.fmsc.org to find out hours, age requirements and group sizes.  Bright Hope is also looking for groups who will shop their local drugstores to make up medical packs full of personal hygiene and first-aid items that can be shipped.  Details are at www.brighthope.org/group_resources/medpacks.php   Spirit of Truth School in Haiti This school was founded by Ruth Paul Caudle of Vernon Hills.  She is also the author of the children’s book Yvette, Annette and Renette (a story in which three triplets learn the true meaning of “looking your very best” and it wasn’t at all what they expected.  All proceeds from her book benefit the school.  For Ruth’s blog and her inside view on how to help the residents of Haiti, visit www.haiti-world.org   United Way The impact of the earthquake in Haiti is devastating.  You can help people affected by: Donating to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. Texting HAITI to 864833 (UNITED) to make a $5 donation to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. (Charges will appear on your cell phone bill and 100% of your donation will go toward the fund). Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by the disaster and will address educational, financial and health-related challenges.   United Way Worldwide members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response.  Thank you for considering a donation to help those impacted by this disaster.     Hands On Network   As the world reacts massively and quickly to the earthquake devastation in Haiti, the many arms of the Points of Light Institute are targeting their efforts where they feel they can do the most good in this first phase of relief. In this first, immediate phase, what's needed are donations of money to experienced disaster relief organizations. In the future, skills and materials will be needed as well, and we will keep you updated about what will help the most as conditions change. MissionFish on eBay: Click on the Haiti link at www.eBay.com to donate directly, or buy and sell to raise money. Youth HandsOn Network is partnering with schools to raise money through tag sales and kid-centric projects. Haiti Read-a-Thon: kids collect pledges per minute of reading time, and Spare Change drives, collecting loose change outside schools. It is also creating classroom materials about Haiti and the earthquake, to create the crucial link to relief efforts.  More information will be coming soon at www.handsonnetwork.org Rotary The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, Grayslake and Lincolnshire  Rotary Clubs are raising funds to purchase Shelter Boxes, which the international relief agency Feed the Children considers the best disaster relief tool. A Shelter Box costs $1,000 and contains the following: 10-person tent Vinyl insulated sleeping mats and lightweight thermal blanket Multi-fueled cook stove Eating utensils: enamel plates/cups Water purification tablets Other emergency survival equipment, e.g., rope, shovel   The Shelter Box organization is working with Rotary International and the 15 Rotary Clubs in Haiti to deliver and distribute this desperately needed emergency relief, as seen on CNN and Fox News. To lean more, click on this link: www.shelterbox.org. Or watch the video below. To make a donation to the Haitian Earthquake Relief Initiative Please send a check to:   Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Foundation Haitian Earthquake Relief initiative P.O. Box 168 Lake Forest, IL 60045.   Grayslake Rotary Foundation* PO Box 886 Grayslake, IL 60030-0886 *donations are being accepted through Jan.29, 2010.  Please put “Haiti Shelterbox” in the memo of your check   Other National Organizations Accepting Donations • InterAction has a list of agencies responding and how to donate to them. Find it here: www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti • To donate $10 to the American Red Cross, text Haiti to 90999. The amount will be added to your next phone bill. Or, donate through the Red Cross' International Response Fund, www.redcross.org. • Former President Bill Clinton Foundation's Haiti Relief Fund: Text HAITI to 20222 • To donate $5 to Wyclef Jean's Haitian Yele charity, text 501501. The money will be added to your next phone bill. • To find out how to help the International Rescue Committee, visit www.theIRC.org or call toll free, 1-877-REFUGEE. • To donate through Oxfam's emergency appeal, visit www.oxfam.org.uk Care.org Doctorswithoutborders.org Habitat.org/Haiti-Earthquake MercyCorps.org Partners in Health  www.pih.org/Stand-With-Haiti Salvationarmy.org Unicefusa.org WorldVision.org   Excerpt from the Daily Herald:  Businesses, local charities step up • Discover Financial Services said Friday it is immediately donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross to help the people in Haiti, and is pledging up to $1 million more through a customer matching program. Transaction fees will be waived on all credit card donations to the Red Cross. The Riverwoods-based company will match donations make by card members of their Cashback Bonus to the Red Cross, up to $1 million. And it is matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar. • U.S. Foodservice donated $50,000 to the Red Cross's International Response Fund to help people in Haiti, the Rosemont-based company announced Friday. • Deerfield-based Walgreens is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief. In addition, the company will match employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 and it is providing non-perishable food, water and medical supplies to the University of Miami Global Institute for Community Health and Development, which has set up clinics and triage units in Port-au-Prince. • Lake County-based Abbott will give $1 million in initial humanitarian aid for Haiti, including grant money and pharmaceutical and nutritional products. • United Airlines Foundation is matching up to a total of $50,000 in donations to the American Red Cross for Haiti for donations from customers and employees made through the Elk Grove Township-based company's International Response Fund at united.com. • ConAgra Foods Foundation pledged an additional $100,000 to the International Red Cross Relief Fund for Haiti. • The AT&T Foundation is giving a $50,000 donation to Telecoms Sans Frontieres to support its relief work on disasters in Haiti and around the globe. • The Lake County Fielders and the Schaumburg Flyers, two Chicago area minor league baseball teams, are sending team garb to earthquake recovery teams in Haiti. "Just sending caps, shirts, jackets and the like will help give the adults some decent clothing during this horrific time for them," a spokesman said.   2010 Sarah Mynhier Book Drive January 11-22, 2010                                                                              Lets make a difference together  Please drop-off NEW or GENTLY USED Pre-K to 8th grade books at your school lobby or at Forest Orthodontics at 840 S. Waukegan Road #107, Lake Forest. Sponsored by:                                                                                   Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry Presented by:   LakeCountyCares                                                                                More volunteer opportunities are available than ever before!  Consult this listing for recent postings from nearly 100 different social service agencies and non-profits in the area.   For a complete list of area non-profits who are looking for volunteers, click on the AGENCY PARTNERS tab.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ New This Year! The Babysit for Adoption Program is a great way for teens to make a difference in the lives of children around the world. The proceeds from this program benefit the Gift of Adoption Fund, a public charity that provides financial grants to qualified families in the adoption process who express financial need. For more information please contact Tina Rounds at the national office via e-mail trounds@giftofadoption.org or phone 708 280-5035 (cell) or 847 205-2784 ext.405. www.giftofadoption.org http://www.giftofadoption.org/images/pdf/babysitForAdoptionToolkit.pdf ________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                      Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities!                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Allendale Association, a home for troubled children, has opportunities for volunteers.  PALS Program - Pals offer Allendale residents a chance to develop a positive one-on-one relationship with an adult. Because relationships take time to build, we do need a minimum commitment of 6 months.  Educational Surrogate Parent - Do you have the compassion to see that our kids get the most out of their education? We need adults to evaluate a child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) to ensure that it is meeting the child's academic needs. Attend quarterly meetings, advocate for a child in terms of his/her educational growth. 12 month commitment, training is provided with the Illinois State Board of Education. Greenhouse Volunteer - If you have a green thumb and want to share your love o horticulture and gardening with our kids, volunteer at our Bernard B. Rinella, Jr. Horticultural Center. Help out with class projects, our big sale events, and assist the kids as they learn to care for and maintain our beautiful plants. Therapeutic Recreation Volunteer - Do an activity with the kids in a structured situation. Sessions are 2 hours long and are available on weekends.  Special Projects Volunteer - Do you like to wrap presents? Santa's elves would love to have your help at holiday time. Calling all guys! drive our truck or van to make pick-ups of donations and deliveries for Allendale. Please call for Special Projects listings as these are ever changing and always fun! 847-245-6483 Thrift Store Volunteer - Various hours are available during the week and on Saturdays at Hidden Treasures and all sales benefit the kids at Allendale. The shop is located in Round Lake Beach on Route 83 in the Sweetwater Crossings Plaza. Group Opportunities - If you have a group that would like to volunteer, we invite you to come and help us out! A variety of opportunities exist, from beautification projects to game days with the kids. We are also open to suggestions; so, if you have an idea, please let us know! For more information on these opportunities, please contact Volunteer Services at 847/245-6483 or e-mail them at volunteer@allendale4kids.org if you are age 21 or over and would like to make a difference in the life of a troubled child or teen.  ANAD - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Volunteers Needed!!  ANAD is the oldest eating disorders organization in the United States, assisting tens of thousands of people each year.  Through numerous programs, ANAD seeks to assist individuals with eating disorders and their families, and to prevent these very dangerous illnesses which ruin lives and kill.  Because there is little funding in the field of eating disorders, volunteers can make significant contributions.  Volunteer work can be done in or away from the ANAD office.  We are most grateful for volunteer participation. We need help with our national hotline as well as mailings and other projects.  Come in once a week or twice a month.  We will train you.  Your help may save lives from a devastating illness.  For details, please call 847-831-3438.  ANAD, 555 Vine St., Highland Park, IL Career Resource Center, Inc.® Career Resource Center, Inc.® is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that provides professional assistance to individuals in employment transition - a unique service that would otherwise be lacking in the community and one that is delivered exclusively by a cadre of 110 plus volunteers.  CRC’s volunteers energize and empower clients by offering support, education, training and mentoring throughout their job search. Meaningful volunteer opportunities are available in our friendly, professional setting where you can meet diverse, interesting, and talented people; increase your skills and knowledge; and make a difference in the lives of our clients. Network Facilitator:  Enjoy conversing with individuals from a wide spectrum of disciplines?  You can make a difference in a job seekers quest for new employment by facilitating a group of 10-20 job seekers.  The ability to elicit an animated exchange of information between participants is key.  Time Commitment: Tuesday evening 7-9pm, 4-6 times a year. Computer Technician: Expand you experiences by assisting in providing regular maintenance, anti-virus protection, troubleshooting, upgrades, and software and hardware installation for our 8 lab computers and 4 administrative PC’s.  Experience with Windows XP operating systems is a must.  Flexible hours; 3 hours twice per month.  Customer Service / Reception: For this volunteer opportunity, all you need is a welcoming smile and genuine interest in people!  As the first contact for all visitors, you will interact with a diverse group of talented professionals, providing the “human touch” that earns us high marks from our clients.  Tuesday evenings = 6:30 – 9:00 pm Advisor: Mentor, educate, and support professionals in employment transition on job search strategies in private, confidential sessions.  Topics often include resumes, networking, interviewing, plan of action, compensation, etc.  Must be a good listener and have extensive experience in search methods, consulting, and career management, as well as an understanding of prevailing marketplace conditions.  Typically 2 hour long sessions weekly Workshop/Program Presenters: Join other professionals who bring their expertise to our job seeking clients.  CRC offers day or evening sessions on a variety of topics related to job search techniques as well as programs that deal with motivational, emotional, and financial issues.  Once a year to once quarterly For more information, contact Jan Leahy, Executive Director, at volunteer@careerresourcecenter.org or (847)295-5626, 40 E. Old Mill Road, Suite 105, Lake Forest, IL  60045.   Casa (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Lake County Volunteers Needed! Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained volunteers who are appointed by juvenile court judges to provide objective information in the best interests of children who have open abuse or neglect cases in the court system. CASA volunteers are men and women who want to help their community's children. They work for the judge, alongside attorneys and social workers, as friends of the court. When a volunteer advocate is appointed to a child's case he or she is responsible for taking the time to find out as much as possible about that child. Volunteers review records, interview parents, talk to teachers, neighbors and -most important- the child. CASA volunteers then appear in court to recommend to the judge the actions and services that meet that particular child's needs at that particular moment in his or her life and for the child's future. CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. All it takes is a desire to help children and the dedication to stay involved for the life of a case (approximately 18 months). It takes objectivity, communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to respectfully work with a variety of people. For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, call Terri McDonnell, Advocate Trainer at 847-808-9154 or go to www.casalakecounty.com, download an application form and send it to: Terri McDonnell, CASA Lake County, Suite 312, 1020 Milwaukee Ave., Deerfield, IL 60015 or email to tmcdonnell@casalakecounty.com Catholic Charities Samaritan House Volunteer Opportunities Children’s Activity Groups Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 4:00-5:00 p.m. Staff supervised indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) play time. Numbers of children may range from 6 to 20. Ages of children may range from 1 to 12. Samaritan House has a beautiful Bright Space playroom, complete with toys, games, books, crafts, and educational activities. Older children may request help with homework.  Our newly renovated playground features plenty of playground equipment and room for physical activities. Samaritan House welcomes student volunteers! Groups of 3-6 volunteers (or more, depending on number of children in residence) per Activity Group are especially needed. For more information, please contact:  Kathy Miller, Program Director, 847-473-1455 City of Lake Forest Over 100 resident volunteers serve on the City's 19 boards and commissions. They provide leadership, establish policy and oversee budgets while working hard to ensure an open and responsive government. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on a board or commission, you can download a Volunteer Profile Sheet from the City's web site or contact the Office of the City Manager at (847) 615-4271, the Mayor or Aldermen. The Mayor makes appointments with the advice and consent of the City Council. www.cityoflakeforest.com Condell Hospice Patient Care Volunteers      Provide emotional support and companionship to enhance the comfort and quality of life for patients and their families.  By simply “being there” you can make a hospice patient’s day much brighter, while providing welcome comfort to the patient’s family and caregivers. Bereavement Volunteers      Support family members and caregivers throughout the grief process.  Assist the Bereavement Coordinator in mailings and other bereavement tasks. Office Volunteers      Provide clerical assistance at the Condell Hospice Office.  Assignments may include assembling information packets, filing, copying, and assisting with mailings. Spiritual Care Volunteers    Provide spiritual support to hospice patients under the direction of the Hospice Chaplain.  Assignments may include praying with patients, reading from religious text, listening to prerecorded sermons with patients as well as other tasks as assigned. Condell Hospice offers a training program that will prepare you for working in all areas of the Hospice Volunteer Program.  Training is provided in a group setting and covers a wide array of topics. For more information about the Condell Hospice Volunteer Program, please call Heather Powers at (847) 816-8848 ext. 4059 C.O.O.L. Food Pantry The Need:  Gift Wrapping Volunteers Where:   Lake-Shore Harley Davidson, 14000 Rockland Road,   Libertyville The Requirements:  Volunteers are asked to commit to one 3-hour shift.  $2.00 of every gift wrap will benefit the COOL Food Pantry! Anyone interested in this volunteer opportunity should call Diana Fishman at 847-662-1340 to schedule a shift. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Need: Volunteers are needed to assist Food Pantry staff with sorting, stocking, packing and distributing food to guests.    The Requirements: Check with C.O.O.L. for Food Pantry hours. When and Where You’re Needed: Help daily, weekly or monthly in 4 hour shifts. If you, or someone you know, can help, contact Diana Fishman at 847-662-1340 or dfishman@poweruser.com or check out their web site at www.coolministries.org For more information contact the Volunteer Center. PH: 847-234-8876 FAX: 847-234-5856 E-mail: volunteer@volunteerlflb.org

Equestrian Connection Equestrian Connection, a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities, is looking for men and women who would enjoy walking along side a child who is on a horse or pony for a half hour at a time.  Schedules are flexible - 1, 2, 4 or more hours a week or month.  The program runs 7 days a week.  Equestrian Connection is in West Lake Forest. located at 600 Bradley Road, just west of the tollway and north of Rt. 60 (Townline Road).  Volunteers need to be able to walk on loose dirt/sand for 1/2 hour intervals.  A positive attitude and good sense of humor is always appreciated. Could also use retired men who are good with a hammer and nails. For more information, please call 847/615-8698 or visit www.equestrianconnection.org.  Gift of Adoption Fund Gift of Adoption Fund provides adoption grants to give children a family forever.  Current needs include: Administrative volunteers, Board members, Community Outreach Committee members, Grant Program volunteers, In-kind Fundraising volunteers, IT Volunteer Team members, Grant Writers, and Public Relations Committee members. If you, or someone you know, can help, contact Tina Rounds at 847-205-2784 x403 or trounds@giftofadoption.org. www.giftofadoption.org  GLASA (Great Lakes Adaptive Sports) The Need: GLASA is seeking volunteers to assist with its recreational programs for youth and adult athletes with primary physical or visual impairments.  The Requirements: Volunteers high school age on up are encouraged to help. When and Where You’re Needed: Assistance is needed at swim meets, for wheelchair basketball, to train with runners and to check coats during events.  To learn more about specific times and dates when your assistance is needed call Cindy Housner.  If you, or someone you know, can help, contact Cindy Housner at 847-283-0908. www.glasa.org  For more information contact the Volunteer Center. PH: 847-234-8876 FAX: 847-234-5856 E-mail: volunteer@volunteerlflb.org Habitat for Humanity  The Need: Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers with a variety of skills to meet current needs, including: 1. Habitat has begun building a home funded by the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff community.  Crew chiefs are sought to recruit volunteers for specific workdays and organize the crew; crew members are needed to help with construction. 2. Bilingual volunteers to provide translation services for its Spanish-speaking clients. Lawyers and paralegals are especially needed, to help clients navigate the complex requirements for home ownership. 3. Volunteers to transport items to, and to staff, Habitat's ReStore: a resale site offering building materials and fixtures to the public. 4. Individuals to present additional Habitat for Humanity volunteer opportunities to the construction crew volunteers during their lunch break. The Requirements: Requirements vary: volunteers for translation services must be able to read and speak Spanish.   When and Where You’re Needed: Your skills and availability will determine the time frame, duration and location where your talents will be put to use! If you, or someone you know, can help, contact Habitat for Humanity at 847-623-1020.  Or email Cassie Bertke, Volunteer Coordinator, at cassie@habitatlc.org. Youth United - The Future is Building Construction volunteers must be 16 years old to work on the site and we need one adult for every four youths.  We welcome younger folks to arrange visits to the site to bring their donations and to go on a tour. Youth United needs YOU and your energy, your passion, and your insight.  Contact jeff@habitatlc.org or 847-623-1020.  You can also visit www.habitatyouthprograms.org.  For more information contact the Volunteer Center. PH: 847-234-8876 FAX: 847-234-5856 E-mail: volunteer@volunteerlflb.org Heartland Hospice Services  Heartland Hospice Services is looking for volunteers to help with our hospice patients.  We serve patients in nursing homes as well as private homes in the greater Chicago land area.  Volunteers may help in the following ways: * Visitors - volunteers visit our patients and provide companionship.  Depending on the needs of the patient, volunteers can share similar interests or hobbies, play cards, read aloud or just sit and talk. * Respite Service - volunteers stay with the patient while the family members run errands or "take a break". * Special assignments - volunteers work on craft projects that are given as gifts to hospice patients throughout the year. * Office - volunteers work in our office in Hillside or Lake Bluff with filing, faxing, mailings, and other projects. * Bereavement - help with phone calls to comfort the grieving Qualifications:  We are seeking dependable, mature and compassionate individuals with a sincere desire to help others.  Minimum age is 18 for direct patient contact.  Flexible time commitments.  Ongoing training and support training is provided. For more information, please call George Watson at 708/234-2804 or Kitty McAndrews at 708/234-2807. Hill Top Center  Hill Top Center provides 24 hour care supervised by Journal-listed Christian Science nurses.  Care may include bathing, walking, bed care, wound care, modification of foods, and reading aloud from authorized Christian Science literature.  Volunteers are needed to do activities with 4 or 5 patients from 1-2pm, mainly elderly women, weekdays or weekends available.  Contact:  Betsy Hoeschle (847)295-1550, info@hilltopcenter.org , www.hilltopcenter.org  I-Plus I-PLUS (Independent Living Under Supervision) Are you naturally ORGANIZED and willing to share your TALENT? Pat Lynch, Executive Director and Founder of I-PLUS, is looking for a SUPER-ORGANIZED volunteer to help her re-organize and re-structure her office files.  The volunteer could work in a back room and not need to be in contact with the I-PLUS clientele if so desired.  Pat will provide all of the filing supplies. Estimated time commitment….not sure … depends on how quickly you can envision a filing system that would work and start sorting!  I-PLUS is located at 3001 Green Bay Road, Building 9, Room 130, North Chicago.  If interested, please call 847.689.4290 or email plynch@i-pluslc.org. The Josselyn Center Your support of The Josselyn Center will allow indivuals, children, adolescents and their families who are suffering from emotional problems to get the therapeutic services they so critically need.  The time you give expresses in a very direct and personal way the value you place on this important asset to the quality of life in our communities. Help facilitate cultural, dining, and entertainment events and outings for young adults with learning, physical, social, and emotional difficulties Sign up as a committee member of a fundraising event Drive a client to and from therapy appointments as needed Supervise social skill group members while parents meet with the group facilitator Sell books and help with registration at community education events and fall conference Stuff envelopes for annual campaign and other mailings Plant flowers and help with spring clean up Call The Josselyn Center at (847) 441-5600 for more information or email jaimen@josselyn.org  Lake County Forest Preserves If you are looking for weekend volunteer opportunities the Lake County Forest Preserves has many opportunities on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout March, April, and May. Contact Tom Smith, Lake County Forest Preserves Coordinator at 847-968-3329 or tasmith@co.lake.il.us for more information. Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Art Associates Share your love of art!  The Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Art Associates of the Art Institute organization is looking for volunteers to discuss art with primary school children, grades K-5 in North Chicago schools, which are located less than 20 minutes from Lake Forest/Lake Bluff.  Volunteers do not need to be an artist, just enthusiastic about art.  Time commitment is minimal: once a month during the school year for 45 minute visits. Volunteers arrange dates and visit times with teachers -- so very flexible schedule.  Art posters, background info on artists, craft suggestions, and art supplies are supplied.  Very worthwhile opportunity to share your love of art! Call Janet Cummings 847/234-4055 or Mary Kelley 847/295-3235 if interested. Lake Forest - Lake Bluff Senior Center Volunteer drivers wanted to drive older adults in your own car to doctor's appointments, classes and other important activities.  Some passengers may require special assistance or a door-to-door escort.  Rides are primarily during weekday hours.  Contact Janet Fryer at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center (847) 615-4303 for more information. Lake Forest Open Lands V.O.L.E.S. stands for Volunteers for Open Lands’ Educational Services.  VOLES help lead Lake Forest Open Lands’ field studies for local schools.  With the help of VOLES, classes of 21 students can be divided into small groups. The quality of learning is vastly improved when learners are actively engaged in hands-on activities made possible by small groups. Click here to view our VOLES brochure in PDF format. For more information on how to become a VOLE, Call (847) 482-1928 or email Rekha Athreya at rathreya@lfola.org.  Lake Forest Place - 1100 Pembridge Dr (north of LF hospital) Make someone happy!  Consider sharing your time and a smile with seniors and health care residents at Lake Forest Place.  Persons with caring hearts are warmly welcome to assist with:  Nostalgia programs, wheelchair transport, friendly visiting, music, games, arts and crafts, computer classes, reading aloud. Lake Forest Place is a not-for-profit retirement community, providing quality residential housing, health care programs, and services for older adults.  Volunteers enhance our programs, encouraging older adults to experience the fullness of life with dignity and joy. To learn more, please call Lynn Jacobs @ 847.604.6626. Mothers Trust Foundation Mothers Trust Foundation provides grants that help solve the emergency needs of impoverished children in Lake County.  Every year we help thousands of children, whose families often have little or no income.  The Foundation is looking for volunteers who would like to help with and/or host fundraising events, mailings, corporate fundraising and grantwriting, and publicity.  We also welcome volunteers who would like to provide outreach throughout Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and Lake County through securing gently used cribs, winter coats, household goods and delivering them to social service agencies who have requested them.  Please feel welcome to attend our Wednesday (9:30am) meetings at our offices in the Gorton Center at which we review grant requests submitted by school and agency social workers throughout Lake County.   The Mothers Trust Foundation is currently looking for a new volunteer to assist with grant writing and a new member for our "Friends" committee to assist with Public Relations.  If interested in learning more about these positions, please email Executive Director Cheri Richardson at cheri@motherstrustfoundation.org. To learn more, please call Cheri Richardson @ 847.482.9189. North Chicago Community Partners Volunteer Opportunities: North Chicago Community Partners offers many opportunities to serve the local community. If you want to bake, tutor, lead art projects, paint a school, plant a garden, serve a meal or just be a friend to children or families in the community, we can connect you with the experience you deserve. To volunteer, please contact Gay Mitchell at 847 615-1216 or e-mail vmitchell@greenbaymanagement.com. ________________________________________________________ Park District of Highland Park  Volunteer Opportunities:  The Volunteer Stewardship Network will offer its 2007 Herbicide Training and Testing on Saturday, February 10 from 8:15am to 4:00pm at the Brookfield Zoo.  This is a great way to become qualified to apply herbicides to buckthorn and other invasives in our parks.  To register, contact Karen Tharp, VSN Coordinator, at ktharp@TNC.ORG or call 618/634-2524.  Registration deadline is Saturday, January 27.  Study materials are available from the Natural Areas Program office.  Call 847/681-2189 for more information.  Those volunteers who have renewal applications coming should receive them in the mail shortly. Natural Areas Workdays at the Heller Nature Center Friday, January 12, 9:00am - Noon Saturday, January 20, 10:00am - Noon Friday, January 26, 9:00am - Noon Friday, February 9, 9:00am - Noon Saturday, February 17, 10:00am - Noon Friday, February 23, 9:00am - Noon Directions to Heller Nature Center:  2821 Ridge Road.  Head west on Half Day Road, turn right on Ridge Road.  The Center entrance is approximately 1/2 mile north on your right. Volunteer Gear:  Remember to dress for the weather and tough terrain.  Cotton clothes and sturdy leather boots are recommended.  Safety equipment and refreshments will be provided.  847/681-2189 ext. 17 or rgrill@pdhp.org.  Porchlight Counseling Services is a nonresidential survivor treatment center designed specifically to help Chicago area college students who are survivors of rape.  Victims of sexual assault and rape may suffer psychological, social, and spiritual ramifications after the experience.  Our mission is to provide an off-campus center of social services and innovative healing response for women in a confidential environment.  Get Involved: Join the Party! Calling All Volunteers! Porchlight Counseling Services needs you! We are a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping college sexual assault survivors.  We need your help in planning our annual fundraising event.  Come to our fun, informal gathering to learn more about how to get involved while enjoying great company, food and drinks. Bring a friend, tell your neighbor, just be sure to come.  We can only succeed with your help!   Date: Saturday August 9th Time: 5-8 pm Location: Glenview-area For More Information about Porchlight Counseling Services or to RSVP  Call us at: 847.864.1557, email at laura@porchlightcounseling.org or visit us at: www.porchlightcounseling.org   Can't wait to see you there! Reading Power Are you grateful that you can read and write? Would you like to make a difference in the lives of some children?  Be a part of Reading Power for North Chicago children.  Help accelerate the learning of low achieving children.  To qualify, you need only a love of children and the willingness to devote a morning or afternoon each week reading and writing with children one-on-one.  Training by a literacy specialist will be ongoing.  For more information, call or email Mary Jane Hender, (847) 295-2728, mjhender@comcast.net.  Relief for Caregivers is a program designed to give caregivers a much-needed break from the constant care of a family member who cannot be left alone due to illness or disability. Training is provided through the Lake Forest Hospital and the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center. The volunteers provide 10 to 16 hours of relief a month, so that the caregiver can get out and shop, run errands, schedule appointments, or just take time to relax. Contact Janet Fryer at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center, 847-615-4303 if you have any questions or are interested in this program.

Willow House is a social service organization dedicated to helping children, teens, families and communities who are coping with death and dying. Services include support groups, educational resources and referrals, community outreach and special programs and workshops. These programs are community based so that they are easily accessible and foster peer support and interaction among the bereaved within the comfort and familiarity of their own communities. Willow House’s programs would not be possible without our dedicated corps of volunteers. Volunteers serve as group facilitators, develop new programs, assist with special programs such as the Family Camp and Holiday Remembrance Gathering, and do fundraising and administrative work that supports our services. Volunteer facilitators complete an intensive, 20-hour training course that covers the many issues related to providing counsel to grieving families in a group setting. Many of our volunteer facilitators have a background in social work, mental health, or a related field, but a sincere desire to work personally with grieving families is the only requirement to become a volunteer facilitator. A commitment of one group session -- about three hours per month -- is typically required of group facilitators. If you can offer your time and special talents to help Willow House serve grieving families, please contact us. Become a member of our team! LakeCountyCares Would you like to support Lake County Carethe Volunteer Center, but can't find the time? Your generous monetary support can enable us to keep running beneficial programs and events for you to enjoy.  Please consider a donation. You can contact us at (847) 234-8876, email to info@lakecountycares.org  or via mail at Lake County Cares 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL  60045. We accept cash, checks, Visa or Mastercard. Thank you.

Looking for Something Different? If you'd like to learn about other opportunities, let us know more about your interests and availability. To do so, call the Lake County Cares at 847-234-8876 or click on the Volunteer Registration option, complete the form and send it to us. We look forward to assisting you!