Dreams for Kids Holiday For Hope
Dreams for Kids trains and mentors youth as social entrepreneurs, providing practical education, real world training and contemporary job skills as they create enterprises that provide solutions to society’s critical social issues.
How to Volunteer
Holiday for Hope Toy Wrapping Party
Thurs, Dec 12, 2019, 5pm-7:30pm
31st Annual Holiday for Hope
Sat, Dec 14th, 2019, 10am-3pm
More information here
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The Breakthrough Christmas Store
The Breakthrough Christmas Store provides families in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, as well as participants in Breakthrough’s programs, a dignified way to purchase gifts for their loved ones. The Christmas Store provides an opportunity for parents, grandparents and caregivers to be part of the gift-giving process. Those who shop in the store are able to purchase new items at a fraction of the cost through their “Breakthrough Bucks” program.
How to Volunteer
Contribute to their goal of 5,000 gifts for their 500 shoppers
Gift drop-off deadline: Thu, Dec 12, 2019
Store Date: Sat, Dec 14, 2019, 9am-5pm
More information here
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The Collaboratory Foundation: Save Chicago Free Winter Pop-up Shop
The Collaboratory Foundation is a nonprofit organization that emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts to address the needs of underrepresented demographics by working with others to provide a collective approach to offering volunteers, donations, education, emergency relief, and other community resources. Shoppers at the Pop-up Shop will browse through the donated items and keep their selections free of charge. Barbers will be on-site to give free linings and hair cuts. Volunteers should expect to arrive to Douglass Library at 11:30am to help prep the room.
How to Volunteer
Help prepare the room for the pop-up at Douglass Library at 11:30am
Shop Date: Sun, December 15, 2019, 1pm-5pm
Donations are welcome to purchase new undergarments, winter wear, socks, and affirmation times for new moms, disabled veterans, homeless, etc. Donate here.
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Holiday Cheer | Coat Drive + Outreach for Chicago’s Homeless
Join Street Samaritans and gather to collect donations, assemble care packages, discuss homelessness, and distribute living essentials to our homeless brothers and sisters.
How to Volunteer
Date: Sun, Dec 15, 2019, 1pm-5pm
Register here
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The Charitable Holiday
The Charitable Holiday will be passing out care packages on December 15th, 2019. They will have a central location in Chicago to meet and distribute items. Afterwards, the groups plan to gather for dinner, socialize and talk about their experiences volunteering for the holiday.
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Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly Holiday Help
Since 1959, Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, Chicago Chapter’s mission, philosophy, programs and activities remain focused on alleviating loneliness and isolation among elders. Every year, they throw three big family-style celebrations across the city on Thanksgiving Day, on Christmas Day, and for their spring Fête d’ Armand Marquiset.
How to Volunteer
Holiday Drivers
Bring an elder to a holiday celebration and fill their day with friendship, laughter and treasured memories. First, get to know each other during the car ride. Then, celebrate alongside the elders you brought to the party. Enjoy conversation, connection, a great lunch, and live entertainment together. Finally, drop off elders back at home with fuller hearts
Pre-holiday Prep
Help with a variety of tasks, including preparing meals and nursing home packages for delivery
Set Up
Prepare a festive Thanksgiving or FĂŞte celebration by arranging tables, decorations and place settings for nearly 150 elder guests
Holiday In-home and Nursing Home Visitor
Share a friendly visit and deliver holiday meals
More information here
Register here
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5th Annual Spread the Warmth by the Tiesta Tea Foundation
Spread the Warmth is an event held every January to provide warmth and everyday necessities to our fellow Chicagoans in need. Each year, volunteers from across the community gather together to pass out hot tea and Warmth Kits filled with food and warm clothing items to those in shelters, soup kitchens and on city streets.
How to Volunteer
Participate in passing out hot tea and everyday necessities and/or help drive volunteers to locations on January 16, 2020.
Sign up here
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Cook a Meal for the Homeless
Join Fight2Feed to cook and feed 150+ meals for the homeless and families in need. Fight2Feed’s mission is to make a difference by changing the rise of food insecure communities by fighting hunger one block at a time.
How to Volunteer
Date: Wed, Dec 25, 2019, 10am-4pm
10am-1pm: bring food in from truck, prep and cook
1pm-4pm: cook and pack food for transport
Register here
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Misericordia Heart of Mercy Holiday Events
Misericordia offers a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged. By serving society’s most vulnerable citizens, Misericordia also serves the families who want the best for them, yet cannot provide it at home.
How to Volunteer
Holiday Bakery Help (November till Christmas)
No bakery experience required. Volunteer tasks will vary between scooping, mixing, baking, packaging and displaying bakery products. Hours of operation are 9am-4pm, Mon-Sat prior to Thanksgiving + 9am-9pm Mon-Fri + 9am-5pm Sat-Sun after Thanksgiving
Secret Santa! Ho Ho Ho!
Celebrate the season and be a Secret Santa for a child or an adult at Misericordia.
Pre-Holiday Brunch Food Prep + Dining Room Table Setters
The kitchen and housekeeping staff would greatly appreciate volunteers to help with food prep and table setting in the dining rooms (first three Sundays in December)
Christmas Brunches
On the first three Sundays in December, Misericordia puts on a Holiday Brunch. They serve approx. 1,000 through the course of the day at 2 scheduled seatings. Tasks vary from waitstaff, bakery, raffle ticket sellers, kitchen help, dish washers and more.
more information here
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Sew Quilts for Patients
This project helps people and the planet. Each year, tons of clothing and textiles end up in our landfills but as much as 95% could be used again. Join the Sew Crafty Studio to repurpose discarded fabric to sew cozy quilts for children receiving treatment at local hospitals. Their efforts support their partner, SEWonderful Quilts, an organization whose goal is to alleviate the stress surrounding the healthcare experiences of pediatric patients. Your gift of a handmade quilt provides a sense of community support and love for kids during their stay this holiday season.
How to Volunteer
Date: Sat, Jan 4, 2019, 10am-11:30am
Registration opens Dec 15. Register here
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Volunteer at a Free Store
Gather in Humboldt Park to distribute donations to neighbors in need. You will help set-up a free outdoor market at Mission of Our Lady of the Angels and assist neighbors in finding basics such as clothing, books, and toys. By finding donations a new home, your work at this project reduces waste while helping families receive everyday essentials. Providing these basics can make a big impact on a family’s life and help free up funds for other necessities like housing, transportation and medicine.
How to Volunteer
Date: Sat, Jan 4, 2019, from 8:15am-10:15am
Registration opens Dec 15. Register here
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Bring Comfort with Cookies
Help provide comfort to hospital patients and their families. You will bake cookies and write caring notes for families staying at IMD Guest House while a loved one receives treatment at a hospital in the Illinois Medical District. Helping a sick family member can take a big emotional toll on families. Your work at this project helps to create a positive environment for patients and caregivers, ensuring that patients have the support they need to heal.
How to Volunteer
Date: Sat, Jan 4, 2019, from 10am-12pm
Registration opens Dec 15. Register here
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Make Cards for Veterans
Visit after-hours at the National Veterans Art Museum to explore works of art and meet a veteran, providing a unique and personal perspective on the subject of war. Using the exhibitions for inspiration, you’ll create art for veterans, making handmade block-print cards to bring cheer to veterans receiving treatment and services at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
How to Volunteer
Date: Sun, Jan 12, 2019, from 2pm-3:30pm
Registration opens Dec 15. Register here
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Cookies and Games with Veterans
Join fun social gathering at Hope Manor II, one of the first large scale, supportive housing developments in the country specifically designed for veterans and their families. Woman veterans are the fastest growing demographic with more than 67,000 living in Illinois. Hope Manor II provides housing and life resources to woman veterans and veteran families.
How to Volunteer
Date: Sun, Jan 12, 2019, from 2pm-3:30pm
Registration opens Dec 15. Register here
