return to Make A Difference > Quick & easy ways to make a difference
Jul 2011 | | Comments
This month's picks for people, places and things with which you can make a difference:
Help educate people about nature through interactive teaching
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum | naturemuseum.org
Chicago
773-755-5142
Public Interpretive Programs (PIP) volunteers deliver daily public programs for museum visitors, educating children and adults using pre-made curriculum kits and live animals. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences is a place where visitors can explore nature in an urban setting.
Volunteers should be able and willing to: handle live animals, including snakes, frogs, turtles, and various insects; speak to informal audiences of all ages, up to 75 people; follow a set schedule; partner with other volunteers to deliver programs. Time commitment for PIP volunteer is one day per week, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Help children in need receive new books
First Book | firstbook.org
First Book is looking for passionate, entrepreneurial people to get books to the kids who need them most. A First Book Advisory Board is now forming in the Palatine area with leadership and member positions available to individuals 18 and older. First Book Advisory Boards are a network of dedicated volunteer leaders in hundreds of communities across the country. They raise funds for local literacy programs to give new, age-appropriate books away to children. To get involved, contact the First Book Community Development department at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please include what city/state you live in, and how you might want to become involved.
Provide support to cardiac surgery recipients and families
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital | advocatehealth.com
Park Ridge
847-723-6105
Cardiac Cath reception volunteers are needed to offer comfort and support to families of patients undergoing procedures in the Cardiac Cath lab. If you would like to be part of this wonderful and committed team of associates, physicians and volunteers, contact them at 847-723-6105.
Donate supplies to help high schoolers develop leadership and career skills
After School Matters | afterschoolmatters.org
312-742-4182
Office supplies, computer hardware, advertising, gift cards, company promotional items, sports equipment, and catering services for various teen events are needed for a dynamic after school program that cultivates leadership and supports career development in Chicago teens. After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago high school teens innovative out-of-school activities through science, sports, technology, and gallery programs. Questions regarding donations should be directed to the Development Department at 312-742-4182 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .'; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text91312); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Donate kids’ backpacks and school supplies
Jane Addams Hull House Association
Chicago
312-235-5383
Needed: 5,000 backpacks for Chicago area children returning to school. In addition, supplies such as pens, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, rulers, paper, markers, facial tissue, hand sanitizer, erasers, colored pencils, folders, tape, scissors, note/index cards, and highlighters.
Jane Addams Hull House Association provides child care, domestic violence counseling and prevention, housing assistance and many other services for 60,000 children, families and community members each year. For donation information, contact Mark Tisdahl at 312-235-5379 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Provide furniture and electronics for the disabled
Countryside Association For People With Disabilities, Inc. | countrysideassn.org
Palatine
847-438-8855
Items that are currently needed include a riding lawn mower, a manual pallet jack, 12 lunchroom tables, laptop computers for clients, a digital camera, two video cabinets and picnic tables. Countryside Association for People With Disabilities is a private, nonprofit organization serving children and adults with developmental and other disabilities.
Contact Wayne Kulick at 847-540-3701 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Used items must be working and in good condition. At times they cannot accept donations as they may not be appropriate for their programs.
Help fund dance education
The Dance Foundation | thedancefoundation.org
Wilmette
847-920-9121
The Dance Foundation brings the art of dance into the lives of those less fortunate, via dance and academic scholarships. The Dance Foundation is not possible without your generous donations, valuable time, and continuous support. Contact them at 847-920-9121, via email at email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
, or donate online at thedancefoundation.org.
Help the physically and visually impaired become active
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) | glasa.org
Lake Forest
847-283-0908
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) provides adaptive recreational fitness and sports programs to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of youth, teens and adults who have a physical or visual disabilities, including injured military. GLASA depends entirely on volunteers, private and corporate donations, grants and corporate sponsors in order to operate. To learn more about GLASA contact Cindy Housner at 847-283-0908.
Play golf to help premature babies
Chicago Health Executives Forum (CHEF) | chefchicago.org
Elmhurst
Sign up now for the charity golf outing to benefit nineteen Level 3 Neonatal units across the Chicago market. In partnership with the Morgan Haught Foundation, CHEF will help 19 hospitals receive various supplies and equipment for premature babies needing acute neonatal care. The golf outing is being held Friday, August 5, at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, Ill. Registration is available on the website, chefchicago.org.
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