The following is a list of community service opportunities in the southwest suburbs. Most agencies prefer high school age or older, but some use younger volunteers depending on the activity and if accompanied by adults:
– Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, 30071 S. Illinois Highway 53, Wilmington; contact Portia Blume-Gallegos at 815-423-6370 or midewin@juno.com. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 13, volunteers are needed to move prairie plugs into bunkers for wintering. Volunteers are needed to clean the park and plant native seed on Wednesdays and to lead small groups of schoolchildren in nature exploration activities on weekdays (especially in February).
– The Children’s Farm (The Center), 12700 Southwest Hwy., Palos Park; contact Kay Ardizzone at 708-361-3650. Volunteers 18 years and older are needed to serve as guides for school field trips on weekdays. On weekends, volunteers are needed to provide information and assistance to guests.
– Lois C. Klein Studio, Illinois Unit, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Inc., 9612C W. 143rd St., Orland Park; contact Marge, Rosemary or Shirley at 708-349-9356. Adult readers are needed to record textbooks and reference materials for kindergarten through post-graduate level. Volunteers will be trained to duplicate and edit recorded material.
– Pilcher Park Nature Center, 227 N. Gougar Rd., Joliet; contact Holly Conrad at 815-741-7277. Volunteers are needed to set up, cook and take photographs for Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 11. Adults are needed to lead hikes for schoolchildren participating in “Mighty Acorn,” a program that educates and encourages stewardship. Training is provided.
A number of Will County agencies and institutions list volunteer needs with the Volunteer Referral Service of United Way of Will County. Initial inquiry and contact are made through the V.R.S. All jobs require a volunteer to be 18 unless otherwise noted. Call Jennifer Thonar at 815-723-8510.
– Elves on Santa’s Express: Volunteers and costumed characters are needed to entertain children on Santa’s Express trains between sites in Will County and Chicago.
– Holiday helpers: A number of agencies need the assistance of groups and individuals for holiday projects.
– Field trip volunteers: A nature center needs chaperones to take grade school students from Joliet, Lockport and New Lenox to the Field Museum from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
– Wish granter: Volunteers are needed to work in teams of two to organize and execute the wishes of children (ages 2 through 12) with life-threatening illnesses.
– Swim instructor: A Joliet agency promoting family fitness needs swim instructors in the early morning and late afternoon.
– Youth exchange volunteers: Program has a need for families to host foreign exchange students. Volunteers are also needed to promote the program and help match host families from the Chicago area with students.
– Musicians: A Lockport Township drum and bugle corps needs musicians, chaperones and overall assistance.
– Puppeteers: Will County area agency needs individuals to work 3-foot-tall puppets to present “Good-bye Grandpa” program to elementary school children.
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If your agency is in need of volunteers, send the information to the Chicago Tribune Family section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611, or e-mail to ctc-family@tribune.com.
