return to Make A Difference > Quick & easy ways to make a difference

Nov 2010  |  By Mibs  |  Comments

December 2010 Give Time, Give Things and Give Support

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

Give Things:

Travel-sized Toiletries

Sarah's Circle | Chicago | sarahs-circle.org

Sarah's Circle is in need of travel-sized toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, and toothpaste. More than 60 women a day depend on Sarah's Circle for these basic necessities. Any donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated. Contact Emile Dawisha at 773.728.1991, ext. 306.

Baby Items

Shelter Baby Shower | Arlington Heights | shelter-inc.org

Shelter, Inc.'s Healthy Families Program hosts a year-round baby shower. Requested items: children’s books in Spanish and English; children’s videos in English and Spanish; safety and health items (first aid kits, cabinet safety hatches, doorknob handle covers, safety plug covers, digital thermometers); and miscellaneous items for babies (3-6 piece puzzles with large peg handles, baby spoons, bath toys). Donations may be mailed or delivered. Contact Tracy Small at 847-590-6189.

African-American Barbie Dolls

Bethel New Life | Chicago | bethelnewlife.org

African-American Barbie dolls are needed for the Bethel Christmas Store, December 18-20. The store will sell gifts – not give them away – to hard-working families in Bethel programs for roughly 75% off retail prices. African-American Barbie dolls can be purchased through Amazon or Target and mailed or dropped off at. Contact Sara Spoonheim at 773-473-7870 x146 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

---

Give Time:

Mentor High School Students in Lake County

Teen-Aiders | Lake Forest | teen-aiders.org

Teen-Aiders is looking for adults in the Lake County area who can act as mentors to high school students. The students come from multiple schools in the area and plan fundraisers and participate in shelter activities to help homeless children in Lake County. Teen-Aiders provides its volunteers the opportunity to work with numerous organizations throughout Lake County to help alleviate child homelessness. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Teach Life Skills to Disadvantaged Youth

Youthbuild Lake County | North Chicago | youthbuildlakecounty.org

Speakers are needed for youth training sessions on these topics: life skills (negotiation, parenting, communication, money management); leadership and citizenship; job readiness (job search skills, interviewing skills, resume writing); career days; and construction theory and practice (safety, quality, architectural concepts, blue print reading, plumbing, wiring, electrical application, masonry, rehabilitation). YBLC is education and job-training program for disadvantaged youth in Lake County. Contact Laurel Tustison at 847-473-3483 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Wrap, Sort, Bag & Tag Holiday Gifts December 6-14

Childserv | Chicago | childserv.org

Volunteers (individuals or groups) needed December 6-14 to wrap, sort, bag and tag holiday gifts collected during ChildServ’s annual Holiday Gift Giving Drive for families in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties. Volunteers are also needed to sponsor a Christmas party at a ChildServ site. ChildServ is also collecting gift certificates for teens, family emergencies, and children entering our care. Contact Jennifer Collins at 773-867-7362 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

---

Give Support:

Help Rescue Save-A-Pet: Donations Needed

Save-A-Pet Adoption Center | Grayslake | saveapetil.org

Save-A-Pet is in jeopardy of closing within 3-6 months. Save-A-Pet spends over $900,000 per year to save the lives of dogs and cats—primarily on animal health care, rescue and intake, and promoting adoptions. This no-kill organization has a large facility and accepts contributions in person, via phone or online. Contact Marc Portugal, development manager, x102.

Sponsor A Class or School to Attend Live Theatre

Adopt a School Program of Centre East | Skokie | northshorecenter.org

The Adopt a School program is seeking sponsors to purchase tickets for a class or entire school to see live theater at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. For children from schools and areas with little opportunity to experience live theater, this is an incredible gift. Contact the North Shore Center for Performing Arts.

Help Find A Cure for Childhood Leukemia

Leukemia Research Foundation | Wilmette | leukemia-research.org

Leukemia is the primary cause of death by disease in children, and, although commonly thought of as a childhood disease, is diagnosed ten times more often in adults. The Leukemia Research Foundation funds worldwide medical research into the causes and cures of blood cancers, provides patient financial assistance and offers educational and emotional support programs. Contact Cindy Kane, senior director of development, 847-424-0600.