Volunteering: How we can help
We are being called to serve. President Barack Obama called on all Americans last month to help in the nation's recovery from economic woes by making volunteer and community service work a part of our daily lives in our communities. United We Serve started June 22 and runs through a new National Day of Service and Remembrance, which will be held Sept. 11.
Representatives of nonprofit and community agencies in DeKalb County said they are happy to work with volunteers, and said calling or checking out Web sites is the best way to find out more information about a specific place.
Volunteer opportunities are many and varied. Most need help with everyday things, like daily activities, office work or cleaning. Many also have volunteer boards, and need people to serve on those. Some also have special events, like fundraisers, that they need help with.
What we found were so many opportunities, and so many places to volunteer in DeKalb County, that we couldn't fit them all in to today's newspaper.
So please head to www.daily-chronicle.com for our online volunteer guide, which starts today and will be added to as we get information. The guide will also eventually provide additional information about each agency, such as Web sites and brief descriptions of what they do.
The following are just a few of the many places you can answer the president's call to service.
SENIOR CITIZENS
What's needed
• Provide manicures for residents
• Visit with residents or accompany them on trips
• Lead regular activities, like Bingo, or provide a lecture on a unique topic
• Be a driver for Meals on Wheels
Agencies that help
• Barb City Manor, 815-756-8444
• DeKalb Area Retirement Center - Oak Crest, 815-756-8461
• Elder Care Services, 815-758-6550
• Pine Acres Rehab & Living Center, 815-758-8151
• Voluntary Action Center, 815-758-3932
MEDICAL
What's needed
• Baking for hospice clients
• Working in the gift shops at hospitals or nursing centers
• Greeting guests at Pay-It-Forward House
• Sorting donations at We Care Pregnancy Clinic
Agencies that help
• Ben Gordon Center, 815-756-4875
• DeKalb County Hospice, 815-756-3000
• DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center, 815-217-0344
• Kishwaukee Community Hospital, 815-756-1521, ext. 153372
• Open Door Rehabilitation Center, 815-786-8468 x 222
• Pay-It-Forward House, 815-895-7845
• We Care Pregnancy Clinic, 815-748-4242
CRISIS
What's needed
• Provide comfort to disaster victims with the Red Cross
• Serve meals at homeless shelters
* Become an advocate at a domestic abuse shelter
• Sort donations at The Salvation Army
Agencies that help
• DeKalb County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 815-756-7339
• Hope Haven, 815-758-3166
• Love INC. 815-217-0083
• Safe Passage, 815-756-5228
* The Salvation Army, 815-756-4308
ANIMALS
What's needed
• Clean cages
• Walk dogs and groom cats
• Take care of baby wild animals
Agencies that help
• A Place to Call Home Parrot Rescue, 815-384-3170
• DeKalb County Animal Shelter, 815-784-5924
• TAILS Humane Society, 815-758-2457, ext. 103
CHILDREN
What's needed
* Take part in the Big Brother Big Sister program
• Advocate in the court system for abused and neglected children
• Read to or tutor children
• Lead a Boy or Girl Scout troop
Agencies that help
• 4-C, 815-758-8149, ext. 221
• Boy Scouts of America Three Fires Council, 630-584-9250
• CASA DeKalb County Inc., 815-895-2052
• Children's Learning Center, 815-756-3506
• DeKalb County Court Services, 815-895-7199
• DeKalb County Youth Services Bureau, 815-748-2010
• Experimental Aircraft Association/Young Eagles, 815-375-1772
• Family Service Agency of DeKalb County, 815-758-8616
• Girl Scouts-Sybaquay Council, 847-741-5521
• Neighbor's House, 815-787-0600
DISABILITIES
What's needed
• Volunteer with Special Olympics
• Peer counselors for other people with disabilities
• One-on-one work with clients to teach things like computer or landscaping skills
Agencies that help
• Opportunity House, 815-895-5108
• RAMP, 815-756-3202
ENVIRONMENT
What's needed
• Clean up county roads
• Prairie seed plantings
• Trail clean ups
• Work in community gardens for Be the Change
Agencies that help
• Adopt-A-Highway for County Roads, 815-756-9513
• DeKalb County Forest Preserve, 815-895-7191
* Be the Change DeKalb County, 766-1475
THE ARTS
What's needed
• Teach art classes
• Give tours of historic buildings
• Work the concession stand or be an usher at theaters
Agencies that help
• Art Attack, 815-899-9440
• DeKalb Area Women's Center, 815-758-1351 (left message at 10:56 a.m.)
• Ellwood House, 815-756-4609
• Egyptian Theatre, 815-758-1215
• Gurler House, 815-758-4897
• Sandwich Opera House, 815-786-2555