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Oct 2010  |  By Sharon Krone  |  Comments

November 2010 Give Time, Give Things and Shop for a Cause

This month's picks for people, places and things with which you can make a difference:

GIVE TIME

Volunteer Expeditions
Chicago

Planning your holiday travel or spring break? Consider a volunteer vacation. Most expeditions are a week in length, but provide a lifetime worth of service, love, caring, empathy and connections. Volunteer Expeditions is a nonprofit travel organization serving communities in New Orleans, Haiti and the Navajo Nation. To create your own “voluntourism” experience, contact Patti at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Family Promise Chicago North Shore
Glencoe

FPCNS offers housing and meals to families in homeless situations. Families sleep, and eat breakfast and dinner, at member congregations. The rest of the day is spent at the Evanston Center searching for housing and employment. Volunteers needed to cook and serve meals, play with children, help kids with homework, review guests’ resumes and help them network to find jobs and housing. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. Contact Rebecca Lillian for details.

Southeast Lake County Faith in Action
Highland Park

Faith in Action needs volunteers to assist frail, elderly, chronically ill or disabled homebound residents with nonmedical care such as transportation, shopping, reading, paying bills, minor home repairs and respite care for families. Volunteers are paired with one individual to establish an ongoing relationship and routine that meets the needs of both the recipient and the volunteer. To learn more about volunteering, contact Audrey Gordon, director of volunteer training.

GIVE THINGS

Nuestro Center of Family Service
Highland Park

Nuestro Center is looking to refurnish their children’s classroom, where they run a daily after-school homework club and seasonal camps. Supplies needed for the classroom include:

• Board games and activities
• Puzzles appropriate for children between first and eighth grade
• Legos or Bionicles
• Educational software (PC format)
• Art smocks
• Watercolor sets
• Paintbrushes
• Globe, framed U.S.A. or world maps

For more information, please contact Elsi Rodríguez at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Nallely Sotomayor at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

C.H.O.I.C.E. Chicago
Wilmette

Donate new or used computers to C.H.O.I.C.E. Chicago and help make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in the inner city. C.H.O.I.C.E. collects fully functional computers and assorted hardware, erases all the donor’s personal information from the computers, then donates the hardware to inner city schools in need. To arrange a pickup, e-mail C.H.O.I.C.E. Chicago at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Clearbrook
Arlington Heights

Clearbrook creates innovative opportunities for approximately 3,300 children and adults with developmental disabilities including autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Clearbrook group homes always need medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, shower stools, etc.), art supplies (brushes, paint, canvas, tripods, frames), musical instruments (drums, guitars, hand-held percussion instruments, harmonicas, kazoos), and kitchen appliances and supplies. Our Practically Perfect Resale Shop accepts donations of clothing, furniture, housewares, toys, books and even cars! Donations of restaurant and spa certificates, vacation properties and other auction items will be used at our various fundraisers to help raise money for programs and services.

To learn more, contact Gloria Drake by phone, or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

GIVE SUPPORT

Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago

The Lincoln Park Zoo remains free to the public 365 days a year, largely through public support. Memberships and contributions fund everything from feeding the zoo’s animals to providing them with high caliber veterinary and keeper care. Memberships make great holiday gifts and “Adopt an Animal” packages are a great way to introduce wildlife conservation to kids of all ages. For more information, visit the website and click on: “Adopt an Animal,” “Join Today” or “Donate Now.”

Arden Shore Child and Family Services
Vernon Hills

Arden Shore is developing a new Family Center in Waukegan to create a welcoming, nurturing, therapeutic and educational environment for families. Arden Shore helps children overcome abuse or neglect, trauma and mental illness, and encourages families to participate in their children’s growth. Plans and fundraising activities are underway for the new center and completion is expected in 2011. To find out more, contact Dr. Dora E. Maya at ext. 12 or at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

North Suburban Youth Foundation
Wilmette

Financial contributions fund the foundation’s scholarship program—11 college scholarships awarded in 2009—as well as financial grants to youth-serving nonprofit agencies, including Wilmette Youth Warming House, Links, The Harbour, Camp One Step and various junior athletic teams throughout the area. Formerly, the Optimists Club of Wilmette/Evanston, NSYF also supports the prevention, treatment and search for a cure for juvenile cancer. For more information, contact Gail Gosnell at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

SHOP FOR A CAUSE

Lake County PADS Crisis Services
November 20
216 Peterson Rd., Libertyville | 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
At this Holiday Shopping Gala, enjoy a relaxed evening of hors d’oeuvres, champagne, a chocolate fountain, coffee and desserts—and of course, great shopping! The event costs $5, which gets the shopper six raffle tickets to drop in the vendor box of their choosing.

The Hadley School for the Blind
Now through December 15
70 Elm St., Winnetka
The Hadley School for the Blind is holding its annual Braille Holiday Card Sale. The cards feature greetings in both print and Braille and come in boxes of 25 for $30. They are available through mail order, on site at the school or online at hadley.edu/holidaycard. Personal inscription is available.

Junior League of Chicago’s 2010 Gazebo Holiday Market
November 18-20
77 East Washington St., Chicago

This boutique shopping experience offers a broad selection of gifts, including jewelry, accessories, home decor, indulgent treats, children's clothing, toys and men’s apparel—something for everyone! The weekend begins with the Martinis & Mistletoe Preview Party on Thursday evening, offering an exclusive first look at unique treasures and tasty bites from more than 30 specialty merchants. Admission to the preview party is $50 in advance and $75 at the door. Shopping admission is $10 for both days. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact JLC 312-664-4462 x101.